RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION (RFID) TAG(S) and SENSOR(S)

ABSTRACT

A method begins by a first radio frequency identification (RFID) sensor, that is associated with a first object element, receiving a first data request signal from an RFID reader and sending a first radio frequency (RF) signal that includes first data to the RFID reader in response to the first data request signal. The method continues with a second RFID sensor receiving a second data request signal from, and sending second data to, the RFID reader. The method continues with the RFID reader sending a representation of the first and second data to a data processing unit, which processes the representation of the first and second data to determine a first and second data point regarding first and second object elements. The method continues by the data processing unit processing the first and second data points to determine an environmental relationship between the first and second object elements.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENTS

The present U.S. Utility patent application claims priority pursuant to35 U.S.C. §120 as a continuation of U.S. Utility application Ser. No.15/470,512, entitled “RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION (RFID) TAG(S) andSENSOR(S)”, filed Mar. 27, 2017, issuing as U.S. Pat. No. 9,748,632 onAug. 29, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S. Utility application Ser.No. 14/869,940, entitled “RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION (RFID) TAG(S)and SENSOR(S)”, filed Sep. 29, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,607,188, issuedon Mar. 28, 2017, which claims priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §119(e) toU.S. Provisional Application No. 62/057,186, entitled “RADIO FREQUENCYIDENTIFICATION (RFID) TAGS AND SENSORS”, filed Sep. 29, 2014, and U.S.Provisional Application No. 62/057,187, entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUSFOR IMPEDANCE MATCHING USING DITHERING”, filed Sep. 29, 2014, all ofwhich are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety andmade part of the present U.S. Utility patent application for allpurposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to sensing a detectableenvironmental condition, and, in particular, to sensing a detectableenvironmental condition in a passive RFID system.

2. Description of the Related Art

In general, in an RF communication system, a single antenna structure isadapted to receive signals, the carrier frequencies (“f_(C)”) of thesesignals can vary significantly from the resonant frequency (“f_(R)”) ofthe antenna. The mismatch between f_(C) and f_(R) results in loss oftransmitted power. In some applications, this may not be of particularconcern, but, in others, such as in RF identification (“RFID”)applications, such losses are of critical concern. For example, in apassive RFID tag, a significant portion of received power is used todevelop all of the operating power required by the RFID tag's electricalcircuits. In such an application, a variable impedance circuit can beemployed to shift the f_(R) of the RFID tag's receiver so as to bettermatch the f_(C) of the transmitter of the system's RFID reader. A singledesign that is useful in all systems is precluded by the lack ofstandards as to appropriate RFID system frequencies, and, the breadth ofthe available frequency spectrum is quite broad: Low Frequency (“LF”),including 125-134.2 kHz and 140-148.f kHz; High-Frequency (“HF”) at13.56 MHz; and Ultra-High-Frequency (“UHF”) at 868-928 MHz. Compoundingthis problem is the fact that system manufacturers cannot agree on whichspecific f_(C) is the best for specific uses, and, indeed, to preventcross-talk, it is desirable to allow each system to distinguish itselffrom nearby systems by selecting different f_(C) within a defined range.

Attempts have been made to improve the ability of the RFID tag's antennato compensate for system variables, such as the materials used tomanufacture the RFID tag. However, such structural improvements, whilevaluable, do not solve the basic need for a variable impedance circuithaving a relatively broad tuning range.

Shown in FIG. 1 is an ideal variable impedance circuit 100. Circuit 100comprised of a variable inductor 102, a variable capacitor 104 and avariable resistor. When used as a tank in a resonant system, the circuit100 exhibits a quality factor (“Q”) of:

$\begin{matrix}{Q = {\frac{f_{R}}{\Delta \; f} = {\frac{1}{R}\sqrt{\frac{L}{C}}}}} & \lbrack 1\rbrack\end{matrix}$

where: Q=the quality factor of circuit 100;

f_(R)=the resonant frequency of circuit 100, measured in hertz;

Δf=the bandwidth of circuit 100, measured in hertz at −3 db

R=the resistance of resistor, measured in ohms;

L=the inductance of variable inductor 102, measured in henries; and

C=the capacitance of capacitor, measured in farads.

In such a system, the resonant frequency, f_(R), of circuit 100 is:

$\begin{matrix}{f_{R} = \frac{1}{2\pi \sqrt{LC}}} & \lbrack 2\rbrack\end{matrix}$

As is well known, the total impedance of circuit 100 is:

$\begin{matrix}{Z = \frac{Z_{L}Z_{C}}{Z_{L} + Z_{C}}} & \lbrack 3\rbrack\end{matrix}$

where: Z=the total impedance of circuit 100, measured in ohms;

Z_(L)=the impedance of variable inductor 102, measured in ohms; and

Z_(C)=the impedance of capacitor, measured in ohms.

As is known, the relationship between impedance, resistance andreactance is:

Z=R+jX  [4]

where: Z=impedance, measured in ohms;

R=resistance, measured in ohms;

j=the imaginary unit √{square root over (−1)}; and

X=reactance, measured in ohms.

In general, it is sufficient to consider just the magnitude of theimpedance:

|Z|=√{square root over (R ² +X ²)}  [5]

For a purely inductive or capacitive element, the magnitude of theimpedance simplifies to just the respective reactance's. Thus, forvariable inductor 102, the reactance can be expressed as:

X _(L)=2πfL  [6]

Similarly, for capacitor, the reactance can be expressed as:

$\begin{matrix}{X_{C} = \frac{1}{2\pi \; {fC}}} & \lbrack 7\rbrack\end{matrix}$

Because the reactance of variable inductor 102 is in phase while thereactance of capacitor is in quadrature, the reactance of variableinductor 102 is positive while the reactance of capacitor is negative.Accordingly, a desired total impedance can be maintained if a change ininductive reactance is offset by an appropriate change in capacitivereactance.

Within known limits, changes can be made in the relative values ofvariable inductor 102, capacitor, and resistor to adjust the resonantfrequency, f_(R), of circuit 100 to better match the carrier frequency,f_(C), of a received signal, while, at the same, maximizing Q.

In many applications, such as RFID tags, it may be economicallydesirable to substitute for variable inductor 102 a fixed inductor 202,as in the variable tank circuit 200 shown in FIG. 2. In general, inorder to maximize Q in circuit 200.

The amplitude modulated (“AM”) signal broadcast by the reader in an RFIDsystem will be electromagnetically coupled to a conventional antenna,and a portion of the current induced in a tank circuit is extracted by aregulator to provide operating power for all other circuits. Oncesufficient stable power is available, the regulator will produce, e.g.,a power-on-reset signal to initiate system operation.

Tags based on conventional chips can be detuned by a variety of externalfactors, most commonly by proximity to liquids or metals. Such factorscan change the impedance characteristics of a tag's antenna. When thetag chip has a fixed impedance, a mismatch between the chip and theantenna results, reducing the tag's performance.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to systems andmethods that are further described in the following description andclaims. Advantages and features of embodiments of the present disclosuremay become apparent from the description, accompanying the drawings andclaims.

Accordingly, the above problems and difficulties are obviated byembodiments of the present disclosure which provide an RF-basedenvironmental sensing system comprising one or more special antennaarrangements, and an RF transceiver. In this embodiment, the antennaarrangement comprises: an antenna having an antenna impedance; and atransmission line operatively coupled to the antenna and adaptedselectively to modify the antenna impendence. Further, the RFtransceiver comprises: a number of tank circuit(s) operatively coupledto the antenna and having a selectively variable impedance; and a tuningcircuit adapted to dynamically vary the impedance of the tank circuit,and to develop a first quantized value representative of the impedanceof the tank circuit, wherein the first quantized value is a function ofthe modified antenna impedance.

Further embodiments provide a method for operating the first embodimentcomprising the steps of: exposing the transmission line to a selectedenvironmental condition; dynamically varying the impedance of the tankcircuit substantially to match the modified antenna impedance; and usingthe first value to sense the environmental condition.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure provides an environmentalsensing method for use in an RF system comprising the steps of:calibrating an RF sensor by developing a first calibration valueindicative of an absence of a detectable quantity of a substance (or aknown quantity or environmental parameter) and a second calibrationvalue indicative of a presence of the detectable quantity of thesubstance (or a known quantity or environmental parameter); installingthe sensor in a structure; exposing the structure to the substance;interrogating the sensor to retrieve a sensed value; and detecting thepresence of the substance in the structure as a function of the sensedvalue relative to the first and second calibration values.

Yet another embodiment comprises multiple sensing engines that arelocated within a single integrated circuit (IC) or die that functions asa passive RFID tag. A generic sensing interface on the passive RFID tagprovides additional flexibility and expanded general sensorapplications. The present disclosure encompasses the ability for thepassive RFID tag to (or based on the data supplied by the RFID tag) tomake decisions based on multiple sensory inputs.

In yet another embodiment, the passive RFID tag/sensor includes one ormore inductive loops, wherein the inductive loop(s) have a uniqueimpedance, the unique impedance may be permanently altered in responseto an environmental parameter proximate to the inductive loop(s). Thequantized values generated in response to such an impedance change areused to indicate the occurrence of a physical event and/or the magnitudeof such an occurrence. Such events include but are not limited totemperature changes, impacts, physical damage, exposure to moisture,humidity, or contaminates.

These embodiments and additional embodiments are described in moredetails in the detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present disclosure may be more fully understood by adescription of certain preferred embodiments in conjunction with theattached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an ideal variable impedance circuit;

FIG. 2 is a second variable impedance circuit;

FIG. 3 illustrates, in block diagram form, an RF receiver circuit havinga field strength detector constructed in accordance with an embodimentof the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates, in block diagram form, a field strength detectorcircuit constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 5 illustrates, in block schematic form, a more detailed embodimentof the field strength detector circuit shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 illustrates, in flow diagram form, the sequencing of operationsin the field strength detector circuit shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 illustrates, in graph form, the response of the field strengthdetector circuit shown in FIG. 3 to various conditions;

FIG. 8 illustrates, in block schematic form, an RF receiver circuitconstructed in accordance with another embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 9 illustrates, in flow diagram form, the sequencing of theoperations in the RF receiver circuit shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 illustrates, in block schematic form, an alternativerepresentation of the impedance represented by the antenna and the tankcircuit of the exemplary RFID receiver circuit;

FIG. 11 illustrates, in block schematic form, an alternative exemplaryembodiment of the field strength detector circuit shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 12 illustrates, in block schematic form, an alternative exemplaryembodiment of the field strength detector circuit shown in FIG. 5

FIG. 13 illustrates, in block schematic form, an exemplary RFIDsub-system containing tag and reader;

FIG. 14 illustrates, m flow diagram form, the sequencing of theoperations in developing a reference table associating tank tuningparameters with system frequency;

FIG. 15, comprising FIGS. 15A and 15B, illustrates an RF systemconstructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosureto sense environmental conditions in a selected region surrounding thesystem;

FIG. 16 illustrates, in perspective, exploded view, one possibleconfiguration of an antenna and tail arrangement adapted for use in thesystem of FIG. 13;

FIG. 17 illustrates, in flow diagram form, the sequencing of theoperations m detecting the presence of a contaminant using, e.g., theantenna of in the system shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 18 is a block diagram of a RFID wireless solution provided byembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 19 is a block diagram of one arrangement of smart sensors and adata processing unit 1902 in accordance with embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 20 provides an illustration of an antenna arrangement in accordancewith embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 21 provides an illustration of an antenna arrangement in accordancewith embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 22A and 22B are graphs of the conjugate match factor (CMF) wherethe passive RFID sensor tags have a thickness of 0.03 and 0.05 inchesthick tags with a quantized value of 0 in accordance with anotherembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 23A and 23B provide graphs of the antenna impedance for thepreviously depicted antenna of FIG. 20 in accordance with anotherembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 24A and 24B provide sensitivity graphs for varying thicknessesassociated with the antenna's impendence, directivity, and radiationefficiency values are used to predict the RF sensitivity and read rangeof the RFID tag in accordance with embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIGS. 25 and 26 are views of an RFID pressure sensing tag in accordancewith an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 27 is a view of an RFID moisture or humidity sensing tag inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 28 is a view of a folded RFID tag comprising a radiating element inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 29A and FIG. 29B are block diagrams of arrangements of aself-tuning engine to support the reporting of several stimuli withmultiple passive RFID sensors using an antenna impedance sensingmechanism in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 29C is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a wirelesssensor in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 30 is a block diagram of a self-tuning engine in accordance withembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 31A-31D are graphs of simulations performed with an RLC TankCircuit system model with variable center frequency and Q;

FIG. 32 illustrates an embodiment of the self-tuning engine provided byembodiments of the present disclosure along with the varactors that aredriven by the self-tuning circuitry (also referred to as MMS engine inthis disclosure);

FIG. 33 illustrates another embodiment of the self-tuning engineprovided by embodiments of the present disclosure along with thevaractors that are driven by the tuning circuitry;

FIG. 34 provides a flow chart of one embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIGS. 35A-35G are block diagrams of embodiments of the presentdisclosure that provide an RFID sensor with non-electronic memory;

FIG. 36 illustrates in block schematic form, an embodiment of aself-tuning engine;

FIG. 37 illustrates in flow diagram form the sequencing of operations inthe self-tuning engine shown in FIG. 36; and

FIG. 38 illustrates in block schematic form, another embodiment of aself-tuning engine.

In the drawings, similar elements will be similarly numbered wheneverpossible. However, this practice is simply for convenience of referenceand to avoid unnecessary proliferation of numbers, and is not intendedto imply or suggest that the present disclosure requires identity ineither function or structure in the several embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Preferred embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in theFIGs., like numerals being used to refer to like and corresponding partsof the various drawings.

Throughout this description, the terms assert and negate may be usedwhen referring to the rendering of a signal, signal flag, status bit, orsimilar apparatus into its logically true or logically false state,respectively, and the term toggle to indicate the logical inversion of asignal from one logical state to the other. Alternatively, reference maybe made to the mutually exclusive Boolean states as logic_0 and logic_1.Of course, as is well known, consistent system operation can be obtainedby reversing the logic sense of all such signals, such that signalsdescribed herein as logically true become logically false and viceversa. Furthermore, it is of no relevance in such systems which specificvoltage levels are selected to represent each of the logic states.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide various passive radiofrequency identification (RFID) sensors. These passive RFID sensorsinclude an antenna, a processing module, and a wireless communicationmodule. The antenna has an antenna impedance that may vary with anenvironment in which the antenna is placed. The processing modulecouples to the antenna and has one or more self-tuning module(s) thatmay vary a reactive component impedance coupled to the antenna in orderto change a system impedance. The system impedance including both theantenna impedance and the reactive component impedance. The self-tuningmodule(s) then produces an impedance value representative of thereactive component impedance. A memory module may store the impedancevalue which may then later is communicated to an RFID reader via thewireless communication module. The RFID reader then exchanges theimpedance value representative of the reactive components of impedancewith the RFID reader such that the RFID reader or another externalprocessing unit may process the impedance value in order to determineenvironmental conditions at the antenna. These environmental conditionsmay include but are not limited to temperature, humidity, wetness, orproximity of the RFID reader to the passive RFID sensor.

FIG. 36 illustrates in block schematic form, an embodiment of aself-tuning engine. In FIG. 36 the amplitude modulated (“AM”) signalbroadcast by the reader in an RFID system will be magnetically coupledto a conventional coil antenna comprising inductor 3604′, and a portionof the induced current is extracted via nodes 3608 and 3610 by aregulator 3616 to produce operating power for all other circuits. Oncesufficient stable power is available, regulator 3616 will produce aPowerOK signal to initiate system operation (see, 3618 and 3620 in FIG.37). If desired, a variable resistor (not shown) can be provided inparallel with inductor 3604′, generally between nodes 3608 and 3610, andregulator 3616 can be constructed so as to automatically vary thisresistance to control the gain of the tank circuit 3602′.

In response to the PowerOK signal, a timer 3622 will periodicallygenerate a timing pulse t (see, generally, 3624, 3626, 3628, and 3630 inFIG. 37). Preferably, the frequency of t pulses is a selectedsub-multiple of the received signal, and the duty cycle is on the orderof fifty percent (50%). However, as will be explained below, other dutycycles may be appropriate depending on the specific circuit elementsselected to implement my invention.

In response to the PowerOK signal, a reference voltage generator 3632will continuously produce a reference voltage signal V_(Ref)proportional to the voltage induced by the received signal between nodes3608 and 3610. In response to the assertion of each t pulse, adifferentiator 3634, will save the then-current value of the V_(Ref)signal (see, 3636 in FIG. 37). Thereafter, differentiator 3634 willcontinuously determine the polarity of the change of the previouslysaved value with respect to the then-current value of the V_(Ref) signal(see, 3638 in FIG. 37). If the polarity is negative, indicating that thecurrent V_(Ref) signal is lower than the previously-saved V_(Ref)signal, differentiator 3634 will assert a change direction signal;otherwise, differentiator 3634 will negate the change direction signal(see, 3640 in FIG. 37).

In response to each negation of t, a direction selector 3642 will togglebetween an up state and a down state if and only if differentiator 3634is then asserting the change direction signal; otherwise, selector 3642continues to maintain its current state (see, 3644 in FIG. 37).

In response to the PowerOK signal, a ramp generator 3646 will reset to apredetermined initial value (see, 3620 in FIG. 37). Thereafter, inresponse to each assertion of t, generator 3646 will selectively changethe value of capacitor 3606, thereby changing the resonant frequencyf_(R) of circuit 3602′ (see, 3648 in FIG. 37). Preferably, the initialvalue for generator 3646 is selected such that the initial resonantfrequency f_(R) of circuit 3602′ will approximate the anticipatedcarrier frequency f_(C) of the received signal, thereby assuringconvergence with a minimal number of re-tuning cycles. Although theinitial value can be established using any of several known non-volatiletechniques, including hard wiring or any of a variety ofread-only-memory (ROM) structures, re-writable mechanisms, such as aflash or other electrically-programmable ROM structure are preferable.Using the latter, it would be a simple matter to construct regulator3616 so as to provide a PowerLoss signal when the level of availablepower drops to a predetermined minimum, and then, in response to thePowerLoss signal, to copy the current value in generator 3646 into thememory. Upon next receiving the PowerOK signal, the generator 3646 willresume operation at the stored value, potentially reducing convergencetime.

After each change in the resonant frequency f_(R) of circuit 3602′,circuit 3612 again determines the polarity of change of V_(Ref). If thepolarity is found to be positive, the resonant frequency f_(R) isconverging toward the carrier frequency f_(C), so the direction ofchange is correct. However, if the polarity is found to be negative, theresonant frequency f_(R) is diverging from the carrier frequency, andthe direction of change must be reversed. During operation, circuit 12will selectively vary the value of capacitor 3606 so that the resonantfrequency f_(R) of tank circuit 3602′ converges toward the carrierfrequency f_(C) of the received signal. Thus, if the polarity is foundto be positive, circuit 3612 will continue to vary the value ofcapacitor 3606 in the currently-selected direction, say, for example,“up”; but, if the polarity is found to be negative, circuit 3612 willswitch the direction in which the value of capacitor 3606 is varied,i.e., from “up” to “down”, and begin varying the value of capacitor 6 inthe newly-selected direction, now “down”. In this manner, circuit 3612is able to converge the resonant frequency f_(R) toward the carrierfrequency f_(C) regardless of whether or not the resonant frequency isinitially higher or lower than the carrier frequency.

In the current embodiment, it is irrelevant which direction is initiallyselected by selector 3642, as circuit 3612 will quickly detectdivergence and reverse the state of selector 3642. However, if desired,a predetermined initial direction can be selected during initializationusing conventional means.

It is to be expected that, as difference between the resonant frequencyf_(R) of tank circuit 3602′ and the carrier frequency f_(C) of thereceived signal becomes relatively small, the ability of differentiator3634 to detect polarity changes will be significantly diminished. Atsuch time, circuit 3612 will tend to seek, i.e., changing tuningdirection on each t. Additional circuitry could be easily added todetect this condition and to, for example, significantly decrease theoperating frequency of timer 3622 or, if desired, cease operation.

Another embodiment of a self-tuned engine that is digitally based isshown in FIG. 38. Thus, for example, in the digital circuit 3612′ shownin FIG. 38, timer 3622 could comprise a clock 3650 and anup/down-counter 3652 adapted to continuously negate the t signal whiledown-counting to predetermined minimum value and then to continuouslyassert the t signal while up-counting to a predetermined maximum value,the counter 3652 automatically reversing count direction upon reachingthe predetermined minimum/maximum values. V_(Ref) generator 3632 couldbe implemented using a full-wave rectifier 3654 and a low-pass filter3656, while differentiator 3634 could comprise a comparator 3658 withits positive input adapted to receive the current value of V_(Ref) andits negative input adapted to receive the previous value of V_(Ref)captured and saved by a sample-and-hold 3660. Finally, selector 3642 canbe a simple toggle latch 3662, while generator 3646 could be an n-bit,bidirectional edge-triggered shift register 3664. In response to theassertion of the PowerOK signal, shift register 3664 will preferablyinitialize the high-order half of the n-bits to logic_0, and thelow-order half to logic_1; in response to the leading-edge of the tsignal (i.e., upon each assertion of t), shift register 3664 will shifteither left or right, depending on the state of toggle latch 3662. Thus,to increase frequency, register 3664 would perform a right-shift with aleft fill of logic_0; whereas to decrease frequency, register 3664 wouldperform a left-shift with a right-fill of logic_1.

When comparator 3658 negates the change direction signal, the resonantfrequency of circuit 3602″ is converging on the carrier frequency of thereceived signal; whereas, when comparator 3658 asserts the changedirection signal, the resonant frequency of circuit 3602″ is divergingfrom the carrier frequency of the received signal. Thus, for example, ifthe old value held in sample-and-hold 3660 is less than the new valueprovided by the filter 3656, comparator 3658 will negate the changedirection signal, indicating that register 3664 is shifting in thecorrect direction to achieve convergence; under this condition, toggle3662 will not toggle. On the other hand, if the old value held insample-and-hold 3660 is greater than the new value provided by thefilter 3656, comparator 3658 will assert the change direction signal,indicating that register 3664 is not shifting in the correct directionto achieve convergence; under this condition, toggle 3662 will toggle.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 38, it is preferable but not necessaryto select the minimum anticipated settling time of the sample-and-hold3660 as the minimum duration of the negated portion of each t pulse. Forthe period of t, it is preferable but not necessary to select theminimum anticipated settling time of the tank circuit 3602′ to eachvariation in tank capacitance. In such an arrangement, the negatedportion of each t pulse will be relatively small with respect to theasserted portion. In general, this arrangement should enable circuit3612′ to “re-tune” the tank circuit 3602′ as quickly as the variouscircuit components are able to detect, and then respond to, theresulting changes in V_(Ref).

Self-tuning passive RFID sensors of the present disclosure enable a widevariety of applications. One embodiment provides a sensor for pressureor proximity sensing using a conventional compact dipole antennaaugmented with a simple floating sheet of metal. The sensor exploits thebasic electromagnetic effect where a sheet of metal brought in proximityto an inductive loop lowers the inductance of the loop due to eddycurrents generated on the sheet of metal. The closer the sheet gets tothe loop, the lower the inductance. Embodiments allow the metal to movefreely while others only allow movement in one direction. The laterallows a permanent record to be created of a physical event.

Conventional dipole design for RFID tags use a small inductive loop totune out the input capacitance of the RFID IC. By placing a metal sheetnear this inductive tuning loop, the inductance depends on the distancebetween the loop and the sheet. The self-tuning engine detects thechange in inductance and adjusts its input capacitance to maintain peakpower to the die. The change in capacitance can be read from the die asa sensor code using the standard EPC read command. The sensor codereflects the relative position of the sheet to the antenna inductor.

A proximity sensor mounts the RFID tag onto one surface and a metalpatch onto another surface that moves relative to the RFID tag. As thepatch moves closer to the RFID tag, the inductances of the tuning loopdecreases. The self-tuning engine compensates for the lower inductancewith higher capacitance which is then readable as a sensor code withhigher value. The sensor reports closer proximity with higher sensorcodes.

The proximity sensor can be converted into a pressure sensor by using apressure sensitive spring between the sheet and the inductor. A simplespring is a small block of closed cell foam, which changes its thicknesswith pressure. Higher pressures compress the foam and bring the metalsheet closer to the inductor, lowering its inductance. Just as for theproximity sensor, the self-tuning engine compensates for the lowerinductance with higher capacitance leading to a larger sensor code. Thesensor reports higher pressure as higher sensor codes.

The proximity/pressure sensor uses a conventional compressed dipole withan inductive tuning loop fabricated on PET, polyimide, or other similarplastic material. As will be shown, the sensor incorporates a metalpatch about the size of the inductive tuning loop placed directly overthe tuning loop. The gap between the patch and the antenna can range, inone embodiment the gap varies from about 0.5 mm to 3 mm. The areaenclosed by the inductive tuning loop must be tuned for the applicationso that the sensor code stays within its total tuning range. The sensorcode changes as the gap between the tuning loop and the metal patchvaries, so the design target would vary the codes within a predeterminedrange for the smallest gap and the largest gap, leaving margin formanufacturing and environmental variations to avoid pegging the sensorcode during normal operation.

For operation as a pressure sensor, the metal patch is mounted over thetuning inductor using closed-cell neoprene foam rubber that can vary inthickness with pressure changes. The sensor codes are averaged toproduce a single average sensor code at each pressure. The sensorachieves very linear response to pressure with low hysteresis. A simplelinear calibration can be applied to convert the average sensor codereading directly to psi. Pressure sensors can use low-cost closed cellfoams to implement very low-cost sensors. However, foams may havelimited range of use as foams may set over time or wear out. Higherprecision pressure sensors using steel springs are also possible.

Embodiments of the present disclosure can also serve as a metaldetector, where the presence or absence of metal can be measured. Thepresence of metal in fluid flow in plastic pipe can be measured withpotential applications in food processing.

Proximity applications also include on/off applications, such asopen/closed sensors for doors or windows. As a security seal, the metalcan be stripped off when a container is opened enabling the sensor todetect tampering. Conventional RFID tags can only achieve this functionthrough destruction, leading to the possibility of false positives.

In general, prior disclosures have focused primarily on quantizing thevoltage developed by the tank circuit as the primary means of matchingthe f_(R) of the tank circuit to the transmission frequency, f_(C), ofthe received signal. However, this voltage quantization is, at best,indirectly related to received signal field strength. Other effectiveand efficient methods may quantize the received field strength as afunction of induced current. In particular, a method and apparatusadapted to develop this field quantization in a form and manner that issuitable for selectively varying the input impedance of the receivercircuit to maximize received power, especially during normal systemoperation. Additionally, in light of the power sensitive nature of RFIDsystems, disclosed methods and apparatus of the present disclosure varythe input impedance with a minimum power loss.

While prior disclosures use methods to sense environmental changes towhich the RFID tag is exposed. Embodiments of the present disclosurefurther develop this capability and disclose embodiments specificallyadapted to operate in a variety of environments.

Shown in FIG. 3 is an RF receiver circuit 300 suitable for use m an RFIDapplication. An RF signal electromagnetically coupled to an antenna 302is received via a tank circuit 304, the response frequency, f_(R), ofwhich is dynamically varied by a tuner 306 to better match thetransmission frequency, f_(C), of the received RF signal, thus obtaininga maximum power transfer. In particular, the RMS voltage induced acrossthe tank circuit 304 by the received RF signal is quantized by tuner 306and the developed quantization employed to control the impedance of thetank circuit 304 as explained above. Also, the unregulated, AC currentinduced in the tank circuit by the received RF signal is conditioned bya regulator 308 to provide regulated DC operating power to the receivercircuit 300. This allows the tank circuit 304 to function as a powerharvesting circuit wherein the power may be stored in a capacitor,charge pump or other like circuit. In accordance with our presentdisclosure, we now provide a field strength detector 310, also known asa power detector, adapted to develop a field-strength value as afunction of the field strength of the received RF signal. As indicatedin FIG. 3, field strength detector 310 is adapted to cooperate with theregulator 308 in the development of the field-strength value. Fieldstrength detector 310 can be adapted to cooperate with the tuner 306 incontrolling the operating characteristics of the tank circuit 304.

In general, in an RF communication system, an antenna structure is usedto receive signals, the carrier frequencies (“f_(C)”) of which may varysignificantly from the natural resonant frequency (“f_(R)”) of theantenna. It is well known that mismatch between f_(C) and f_(R) resultsin loss of transmitted power. In some applications, this may not be ofparticular concern, but, in others, such as in RF identification(“RFID”) applications, such losses are of critical concern. For example,in a passive RFID tag, a significant portion of received power is usedto develop all of the operating power required by the RFID tag'selectrical circuits. In such an application, a variable impedancecircuit may be employed to shift the f_(R) of the RFID tag's receiver soas to better match the f_(C) of the transmitter of the system's RFIDreader.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, theamplitude modulated (“AM”) signal broadcast by the reader in an RFIDsystem (or other CW source) are magnetically coupled to a conventionalcoil antenna comprising inductor, and a portion of the induced currentis extracted via nodes by a regulator to produce operating power for allother circuits. Such a regulator may include a charge pump.

Shown by way of example in FIG. 4 is one possible embodiment of a fieldstrength or power detector 400 (field strength detector 310 of FIG. 3)that is integrated into the sensor. This embodiment employs a shunt-typeregulator 402 so that, during normal operation, the shunted ‘excess’current can be used as a reference against which we develop thefield-strength value. In this regard, reference module 404 produces ashunt current reference value proportional to the shunted current, andthen develops a mirrored current reference value as a function of boththe shunted current and a field strength reference current provided by adigitally-controlled current source 406. Preferably, once the tuner 306has completed its initial operating sequence, whereby the f_(R) of thetank circuit 304 has been substantially matched to the f_(C) of thereceived signal, a digital control 408 initiates operation of thecurrent source 406 at a predetermined, digitally-established minimumfield strength reference current. After a predetermined period of time,control 408 captures the mirrored current reference value provided bythe current reference module 404, compares the captured signal against apredetermined threshold value, and, if the comparison indicates that thefield strength reference current is insufficient, changes, in accordancewith a predetermined sequence of digital-controlled increments, thefield strength reference current; upon the comparison indicating thatthe field strength reference current is sufficient, control 408 will, atleast temporarily, cease operation.

In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, the digitalfield-strength value developed by control 408 to control the fieldstrength current source 406 is a function of the current induced in thetank circuit 304 by the received RF signal. Once developed, this digitalfield-strength value can be employed in various ways. For example, itcan be selectively transmitted by the RFID device (using conventionalmeans) back to the reader (not shown) for reference purposes. Such atransaction can be either on-demand or periodic depending on systemrequirements. One embodiment distributes a plurality of RFID tagdevices, perhaps randomly, throughout a restricted, 3-dimensional space,e.g., a loaded pallet. The reader is programmed to query, at an initialfield strength, all tags “in bulk” and to command all tags that havedeveloped a field-strength value greater than a respectivefield-strength value to remain ‘silent’. By performing a sequence ofsuch operations, each at an increasing field strength, the reader will,ultimately, be able to isolate and distinguish those tags most deeplyembedded within the space; once these ‘core’ tags have been read, areverse sequence can be performed to isolate and distinguish all tagswithin respective, concentric ‘shells’ comprising the space of interest.Although, in all likelihood, these shells will not be regular in eithershape or relative volume, the analogy should still be applicable.

FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of a field strength detector 500. Ingeneral, shunt circuit 502 develops a substantially constant operatingvoltage level across supply node 504 and ground node 506. Shuntregulators of this type are well known in the art, and typically usezener diodes, avalanche breakdown diodes, diode-connected MOS devices,and the like.

As can be seen, current reference 404 of FIG. 4 may be implemented inthe form of a current mirror circuit 508, connected in series with shuntcircuit 502 between nodes 504 and 506. As is typical, current mirrorcircuit 508 comprises a diode-connected reference transistor 510 and amirror transistor 512. If desired, a more sophisticated circuit such asa Widlar current source may be used rather than this basictwo-transistor configuration. For convenience of reference, the currentshunted by shunt circuit 502 via reference transistor 510 is designatedas i_(R); similarly, the current flowing through mirror transistor 512is designated as i_(R)/N, wherein, as is known, N is the ratio of thewidths of reference transistor 510 and mirror transistor 512.

Here, the field strength current source 516 is implemented as a set of nindividual current sources, each connected in parallel between thesupply node 504 and the mirror transistor 512. In general, fieldstrength current source 516 is adapted to source current at a levelcorresponding to an n-bit digital control value developed by a counter518. In the illustrated embodiment, wherein n=5, field strength currentsource 516 is potentially capable of sourcing thirty-two distinctreference current levels. We propose that the initial, minimum referencecurrent level be selected so as to be less than the current carryingcapacity of the mirror transistor 512 when the shunt circuit 502 firstbegins to shunt excess induced current through reference transistor 512;that the maximum reference current level be selected so as to be greaterthan the current carrying capacity of the mirror transistor 512 when theshunt circuit 502 is shunting a maximum anticipated amount of excessinduced current; and that the intermediate reference current levels bedistributed relatively evenly between the minimum and maximum levels. Ofcourse, alternate schemes may be practicable, and, perhaps, desirabledepending on system requirements.

Within control 518, a conventional analog-to-digital converter (“ADC”)520, having its input connected to a sensing node 514, provides adigital output indicative of the field strength reference voltage,v_(R), developed on sensing node 514. In one embodiment, ADC 520 maycomprise a comparator circuit adapted to switch from a logic_0 state toa logic_1 when sufficient current is sourced by field strength currentsource 516 to raise the voltage on sensing node 514 above apredetermined reference voltage threshold, v_(th). Alternatively, ADC520 may be implemented as a multi-bit ADC capable of providing higherprecision regarding the specific voltage developed on sensing node 514,depending on the requirements of the system. Sufficient current may becharacterized as that current sourced by the field strength currentsource 516 or sunk by mirror transistor 512 such that the voltage onsensing node 514 is altered substantially above or below a predeterminedreference voltage threshold, v_(th). In the exemplary case of a simpleCMOS inverter, v_(th) is, in its simplest form, one-half of the supplyvoltage (VDD/2). Those skilled in the art will appreciate that v_(th)may by appropriately modified by altering the widths and lengths of thedevices of which the inverter is comprised. In the exemplary case amulti-bit ADC, v_(th) may be established by design depending on thesystem requirements and furthermore, may be programmable by the system.

In the illustrated embodiment, a latch 522 captures the output state ofADC 520 in response to control signals provided by a clock/controlcircuit 524. If the captured state is logic_0, the clock/control circuit524 will change counter 518 to change the reference current beingsourced by field strength current source 516; otherwise clock/controlcircuit 524 will, at least temporarily, cease operation. However,notwithstanding, the digital field-strength value developed by counter518 is available for any appropriate use, as discussed above.

Dithering is a well-known technique in quantization systems (e.g. ADC)achieved by adding noise before quantization makes it possible toachieve sub-LSB resolution with subsequent averaging. This is a verysmall amount of random noise (white noise), which is added to the inputbefore conversion. Dithering's effect is to cause the state of the LSBto randomly oscillate between 0 and 1 in the presence of very low levelsof input, rather than sticking at a fixed value. Rather than the signalsimply getting cut off altogether at this low level (which is only beingquantized to a resolution of 1 bit), dithering extends the effectiverange of signals that the ADC can convert, at the expense of a slightincrease in noise—effectively the quantization error is diffused acrossa series of noise values which is far less objectionable than a hardcutoff. The result is an accurate representation of the signal overtime. A suitable filter at the output of the system can thus recoverthis small signal variation.

This process is applicable to both ADC and reduction of word width indigital systems.

For example, consider an ideal, noise free ADC, an input correspondingto an output code of 15.8 will always code as 16, as will an inputcorresponding to 16.3. No amount of post-conversion averaging candiscriminate between these two cases.

Now consider an ideal but noisy ADC, given enough of the right kind ofnoise, an input of 15.8 will result in a histogram of conversion resultswith an average value of 15.8, and an input of 16.3 will result in ahistogram with an average value of 16.3. Similarly, with sufficientdithering, an input described by 16+0.1 sin(ωt) will result in an outputcode sequence which will include an undistorted 0.1 sin(ωt) component,which can be recovered by averaging or by an FFT.

Noise can be used to avoid local minima in search algorithms. “HillClimbing” search algorithms find an optimal point in a multi-dimensionalspace by computing the gradient at a given point and then moving in thedirection of the gradient. In the absence of noise, a simple HillClimbing algorithm can only find the global maximum if there are nolocal maxima in the function. By adding noise to the gradient beforetaking the next step, the exploration of the function is randomized, andwith enough noise the system can escape from local maxima to find theglobal maximum. In “annealing” algorithms, the variance of the noise isprogressively reduced until the system freezes at the final solution.

The present disclosure provides a method and apparatus for incorporatingdithering into the RFID sensor circuitry.

The present disclosure also provides a method and apparatus for aself-tuning engine with, optionally, the ability to detect RF fieldstrength for use generally in RFID tags and sensors. A field strengthreference generator develops a field strength reference current as afunction of a field strength of a received RF signal; and a fieldstrength quantizer develops a digital field strength value indicative ofthe field strength reference current. In one embodiment, detected fieldstrength is used to dynamically vary the impedance of a tank circuit viaan optimization loop that includes a search process whereby, over time,induced current is maximized. A similar process, as explained above isused for the self-tuning engine. Incorporating dithering into theprocess will be further discussed with reference to FIGS. 30 and31A-31D.

By way of example, FIG. 6 illustrates one possible general operationalflow of a field strength detector in accordance with embodiments of thepresent disclosure. Upon activation, counter 518 is set to its initialdigital field-strength value (step 602), thereby enabling field strengthcurrent source 516 to initiate reference current sourcing at theselected level. After an appropriate settling time, the field strengthreference voltage, v_(R), developed on sensing node 514 and digitized byADC 520 is captured in latch 522 (step 604). If the captured fieldstrength reference voltage, v_(R), is less than (or equal to) thepredetermined reference threshold voltage, v_(th), clock/control 524will change counter 518 (step 606). This process will repeat, changingthe reference current sourced by field strength current source 516 untilthe captured field strength reference voltage, v_(R), is greater thanthe predetermined reference threshold voltage, v_(th), (at step 608), atwhich time the process will stop (step 610). As illustrated, this sweepprocess can be selectively reactivated as required, beginning each timeat either the initial field-strength value or some other selected valuewithin the possible range of values as desired.

The graph provided in FIG. 7 depicts several plots of the voltagedeveloped on sensing node 514 as the field strength detector circuit 400sweeps the value of counter 518 according to the flow illustrated inFIG. 6. As an example, note that the curve labeled “A” in FIG. 7 beginsat a logic_0 value when the value of counter 518 is at a minimum valuesuch as “1” as an exemplary value. Subsequent loops though the sweeploop gradually increase the field strength reference voltage on sensingnode 514 until counter 518 reaches a value of “4” as an example. At thispoint, the “A” plot in FIG. 7 switches from a logic_0 value to a logic_1value, indicating that the field strength reference voltage, v_(R), onsensing node 514 has exceeded the predetermined reference thresholdvoltage, v_(th). Other curves labeled “B” through “D” depict incrementalincreases of reference currents, i_(R), flowing through referencedevice, resulting in correspondingly higher mirrored currents flowingthrough the mirror device. This incrementally higher mirror currentrequires field strength current source to source a higher current levelwhich in tum corresponds to higher values in counter 518. Thus, it isclear that embodiments of the present disclosure are adapted toeffectively and efficiently develop a digital representation of thecurrent flowing through sensing node 514 that is suitable for anyappropriate use.

One such use, as discussed earlier, of field strength detector 310 is tocooperate with tuner 306 in controlling the operating characteristics ofthe tank circuit 304. FIG. 8 illustrates one possible embodiment wherereceiver circuit 800 uses a field strength detector 802 speciallyadapted to share with tuner 804 the control of the tank circuit 806.Dynamically tuning, via tuner 804, the tank circuit 806 allows one todynamically shift the f_(R) of the tank circuit 806 to better match thef_(C) of the received RF signal at antenna 808. FIG. 8 adds amultiplexer 810 to tuner 804 to facilitate shared access to the tunercontrol apparatus. Shown in FIG. 9 is the operational flow of fieldstrength detector 800 upon assuming control of tank circuit 806.

In context of this particular use, once tuner 804 has completed itsinitial operating sequences, and field strength detector 500 hasperformed an initial sweep (as described above and illustrated in FIG.6) and saved in a differentiator 812 a base-line field-strength valuedeveloped in counter 814, clock/control 816 commands multiplexer 810 totransfer control of the tank circuit 806 to field strength detector 802(all comprising step 902 in FIG. 9). Upon completing a second currentsweep, differentiator 812 will save the then-current field-strengthvalue developed in the counter 814 (step 904). Thereafter,differentiator 812 will determine the polarity of the change of thepreviously saved field-strength value with respect to the then-currentfield-strength value developed in counter 814 (step 906). If thepolarity is negative (step 908), indicating that the currentfield-strength value is lower than the previously-saved field-strengthvalue, differentiator 812 will assert a change direction signal;otherwise, differentiator 812 will negate the change direction signal(step 910). In response, the shared components in tuner 804 downstreamof the multiplexer 810 will change the tuning characteristics of tankcircuit 806 (step 912). Now, looping back (to step 904), the resultingchange of field strength, as quantized is the digital field-strengthvalue developed in counter 814 during the next sweep (step 904), will bedetected and, if higher, will result in a further shift in the f_(R) ofthe tank circuit 806 in the selected direction or, if lower, will resultin a change of direction (step 910). Accordingly, over a number of such‘seek’ cycles, embodiments of the present disclosure will selectivelyallow the receiver 800 to maximize received field strength even if, as aresult of unusual factors, the f_(R) of the tank circuit 806 may not beprecisely matched to the f_(C) of the received RF signal, i.e., thereactance of the antenna is closely matched with the reactance of thetank circuit, thus achieving maximum power transfer. In an alternativeembodiment, it would be unnecessary for tuner 804 to perform an initialoperating sequence. Rather, field strength detector 802 may be usedexclusively to perform both the initial tuning of the receiver circuit800 as well as the subsequent field strength detection. Note that thesource impedance of antenna 808 and load impedance of tank circuit 806may be represented alternatively in schematic form as in FIG. 10,wherein antenna 808 is represented as equivalent source resistance R_(S)1002 and equivalent source reactance Xs 1004, and tank circuit 806 isrepresented as equivalent load resistance R_(L) 1006 and equivalent,variable load reactance X_(L) 1008.

FIG. 11 illustrates alternate embodiments of a field strength detector1100, previously discussed with reference to FIG. 5. Here, as before,shunt circuit 502 is used to develop a substantially constant operatingvoltage level across supply node 504 and ground node 506. Also, asbefore, the current reference 516 is implemented as a current mirrorcircuit 508 connected in series with shunt circuit 502 between nodes 504and 506. However, in this embodiment, the field strength current sourcecomprises a resistive component 1102 adapted to function as a staticresistive pull-up device. Many possible implementations exist besides abasic resistor, such as a long channel length transistor, and thoseskilled in the art will appreciate the various implementations that areavailable to accomplish analogous functionality. The field strengthvoltage reference v_(R) developed on sensing node 514 will be drawn to astate near the supply voltage when the mirrored current flowing thoughtransistor 512 is relatively small, e.g. close to zero amps, indicatinga weak field strength. As the field strength increases, the currentflowing through mirror transistor 512 will increase, and the fieldstrength voltage reference v_(R) developed on sensing node 514 will dropproportionally to the mirrored current flowing through mirror transistor512 as i_(R)/N. ADC 520, having its input connected to sensing node 514,provides a digital output indicative of the field strength referencevoltage, v_(R), developed on sensing node 514, as described previously.

In this alternate embodiment, latch 522 captures the output state of ADC520 in response to control signals provided by a clock/control circuit524. As disclosed earlier, the ADC 520 may comprise a comparatorcircuit. In this instance, ADC 520 is adapted to switch from a logic_1state to a logic_0 when sufficient current is sunk by mirror transistor512 to lower the voltage on sensing node 514 below a predeterminedreference voltage threshold, v_(th). Alternatively, ADC 520 may beimplemented as a multi-bit ADC capable of providing higher precisionregarding the specific voltage developed on sensing node 514 dependingon the requirements of the system.

Comparator 1104 subsequently compares the captured output state held inlatch 520 with a value held in counter 518 that is selectivelycontrolled by clock/control circuit 524. In response to the outputgenerated by comparator 1104, clock/control circuit 524 may selectivelychange the value held in counter 518 to be one of a higher value or alower value, depending on the algorithm employed. Depending upon theimplementation of counter 518 and comparator 1104, clock/control circuit524 may also selectively reset the value of counter 518 or comparator1104 or both. The digital field-strength value developed by counter 518is available for any appropriate use, as discussed above.

In FIG. 12 we have illustrated another alternate embodiment of our fieldstrength detector 1200 illustrated in FIG. 5. Here, as before, shuntcircuit 502 is used to develop a substantially constant operatingvoltage level across supply node 504 and ground node 506. In thisembodiment, the current reference is implemented as a resistivecomponent 1202 that functions as a static pull-down device. Manypossible implementations exist besides a basic resistor, such as a longchannel length transistor and those skilled in the art will appreciatethe various implementations that are available to accomplish analogousfunctionality. The field strength voltage reference v_(R) developed onsensing node 514 will be drawn to a state near the ground node when thecurrent flowing though shunt circuit 502 is relatively small, e.g. closeto zero amps, indicating a weak field strength. As the field strengthincrease, the current flowing through shunt circuit 502 will increase,and the field strength voltage reference v_(R) developed on sensing node514 will rise proportionally to the current flowing through shuntcircuit 502. ADC 520, having its input connected to a sensing node 514,provides a digital output indicative of the field strength referencevoltage, v_(R), developed on sensing node 514, as described previously.

In this alternate embodiment, latch 522 captures the output state of ADC520 in response to control signals provided by a clock/control circuit524. As disclosed earlier, the ADC 520 may comprise a comparatorcircuit. In this instance, ADC 520 is adapted to switch from a logic_0state to a logic_1 when sufficient current is sourced by shunt circuit502 to raise the voltage on sensing node 514 above a predeterminedreference voltage threshold, v_(th). Alternatively, ADC 520 may beimplemented as a multi-bit ADC capable of providing higher precisionregarding the specific voltage developed on sensing node 514, dependingon the requirements of the system.

Comparator 1104 subsequently compares the captured output state held inlatch 522 with a value held in counter 518 that is selectivelycontrolled by clock/control circuit 524. In response to the outputgenerated by comparator 1104, clock/control circuit 524 may selectivelychange the value held in counter 518 to be one of a higher value or alower value, depending on the algorithm employed. Depending upon theimplementation of counter 518 and comparator 1104, clock/control circuit524 may also selectively reset the value of counter 518 or comparator1104 or both. The digital field-strength value developed by counter 518is available for any appropriate use, as discussed above.

In another embodiment, embodiments of the present disclosure may beadapted to sense the environment to which a tag is exposed, as well assensing changes to that same environment. The auto-tuning capability oftuner 306 acting in conjunction with tank circuit 304 detects antennaimpedance changes. These impedance changes may be a function ofenvironmental factors such as proximity to interfering substances, e.g.,metals or liquids, as well as a function of a reader or receiver antennaorientation. Likewise, as disclosed herein, field strength (i.e.,received power) detector may be used to detect changes in received power(i.e., field strength) as a function of, for example, power emitted bythe reader, distance between tag and reader, physical characteristics ofmaterials or elements in the immediate vicinity of the RFID tag andreader, or the like. Sensing the environment or, at least, changes tothe environment is accomplished using one or both of these capabilities.

As an example, the RFID tag 1300 of FIG. 13, contains both a source tagantenna (not shown, but see, e.g., FIG. 8) and a corresponding load chiptank circuit 304 (not shown, but see, e.g., FIG. 8). Each contains bothresistive and reactive elements as discussed previously (see, e.g., FIG.10). Tag 1300 containing such a tank circuit 304 mounted on a metallicsurface will exhibit antenna impedance that is dramatically differentthan the same tag 1300 in free space or mounted on a container ofliquid. Shown in Table 1 are exemplary values for impedance variationsin both antenna source resistance 1002 as well as antenna sourcereactance 1004 as a function of frequency as well as environmentaleffects at an exemplary frequency.

TABLE 1 Antenna Impedance Variations 860 MHz 870 MHz 880 MHz 890 MHz Rs,□ Xs, □ Rs, □ Xs, □ Rs, □ Xs, □ Rs, □ Xs, □ In Air 1.3 10.7 1.4 10.9 1.511.2 1.6 11.5 On Metal 1.4 10.0 1.5 10.3 1.6 10.6 1.7 10.9 On Water 4.911.3 1.8 11.1 2.4 11.7 2.9 11.5 On Glass 1.8 11.1 2.0 11.4 2.2 11.7 2.512.0 On Acrylic 1.4 10.6 1.6 11.1 1.7 11.4 1.9 11.7 900 MHz 910 MHz 920MHz 930 MHz Rs, □ Xs, □ Rs, □ Xs, □ Rs, □ Xs, □ Rs, □ Xs, □ In Air 1.811.8 2.0 12.1 2.2 12.4 2.4 12.8 On Metal 1.9 11.2 2.1 11.6 2.3 12.0 2.612.4 On Water 2.5 12.3 3.0 12.7 5.8 14.1 9.1 13.2 On Glass 2.8 12.4 3.212.8 3.7 13.2 4.2 13.6 On Acrylic 2.0 12.1 2.3 12.4 2.5 12.8 2.8 13.2

The tuner circuit 306 of embodiments of the present disclosureautomatically adjusts the load impendence by adjusting load reactance1008 to match source antenna impedance represented by source resistance1002 and source reactance 1004. As previously disclosed, matching of thechip load impedance and antenna source impedance can be performedautomatically in order to achieve maximum power transfer between theantenna and the chip. A digital shift register 1302 allows selectivelychanging the value of the load reactive component 1008 (see, e.g., FIG.10), in the present case a variable capacitor, until power transfer ismaximized. This digital value of the matched impendence may be usedeither internally by the RFID tag 1300, or read and used by the reader1304, to discern relative environmental information to which the RFIDtag 1300 is exposed. For example, tag 1300 may contain a calibratedlook-up-table within the clock/control circuit 524 which may be accessedto determine the relevant environmental information. Likewise, a RFIDreader 1304 may issue commands (see transaction 1 in FIG. 13) toretrieve (see transaction 2 in FIG. 13) the values contained in digitalshift register 1302 via conventional means, and use that retrievedinformation to evaluate the environment to which tag 1300 is exposed.The evaluation could be as simple as referencing fixed data in memorythat has already been stored and calibrated, or as complex as a softwareapplication running on the reader or its connected systems forperforming interpretive evaluations.

Likewise, consider a tag 1300 containing a field strength (i.e.,received power) detector wherein the method of operation of the systemcontaining the RFID tag 1300 calls for field strength detector toselectively perform a sweep function and developing the quantizeddigital representation of the current via the method discussed earlier.As illustrated in FIG. 13, counter 518 will contain the digitalrepresentation developed by our field strength detector 310 of the RFsignal induced current, and may be used either internally by the RFIDtag 1300, or read and used by the reader 1304, to discern relativeenvironmental information to which the RFID tag is exposed. For example,reader 1304 may issue a command to the RFID tag 1300 to activate tuner306 and/or detector 310 and, subsequent to the respective operations oftuner 306 and/or detector 310, receive the digital representations ofeither the matched impedance or the maximum current developed duringthose operations. Once again, this digital value of the field strengthstored in the counter 518 may be used either internally by the RFID tag1300, or read and used by the reader 1304, to discern relativeenvironmental information to which the RFID tag 1300 is exposed. Forexample, tag 1300 may contain a calibrated look-up-table within theclock and control block 524 which may be accessed to determine therelevant environmental information. Likewise, a RFID reader may issuecommands to retrieve the values contained in digital shift register1302, and use that retrieved information to evaluate the environment towhich tag 1300 is exposed. The evaluation could be as simple asreferencing fixed data in memory that has already been stored andcalibrated, or as complex as a software application running on thereader or its connected systems for performing interpretive evaluations.Thus, the combining of the technologies enables a user to sense theenvironment to which a tag 1300 is exposed as well as sense changes tothat same environment.

Some environmental factors can change the effective impedance of theRFID antenna. Thus, it is possible to dynamically retune the tankcircuit 304 or other like impedance to compensate for theenvironmentally-induced change in impedance by systematically changingthe digital tuning parameters of tank circuit 304. By characterizing theantenna impedance as a function of various factors, one can develop anestimate of the relative change in the environmental factor as afunction of the relative change in the digital tuning parameters of thetank circuit 304.

As can be seen in Table 1, above, it is possible to develop, a priori, areference table storing information relating to a plurality ofenvironmental reference conditions. Thereafter, in carefully controlledconditions wherein one and only one environmental condition of interestis varied (see, FIG. 14), an operational tag 1300 is exposed to each ofthe stored reference conditions (step 1402) and allowed to complete thetank tuning process. (recursive steps 1406 and 1408. After tuning, hasstabilized, the RFID tag 1300 can be interrogated (step 1410), and thefinal value in the shift register 1302 retrieved (step 1410). This valueis then stored in the reference table in association with the respectiveenvironmental condition (step 1412). The resulting table might look likethis:

TABLE 2 Tuning Parameters vs. Frequency 860 870 880 890 900 910 920 930MHz MHz MHz MHz MHz MHz MHz MHz In Air 25 21 16 12 8 4 0  0* On Metal 3127 22 17 12 8 3 0 On Water 20 19 12 12 4 0  0*  0* On Glass 21 17 12 8 4 0*  0*  0* On Acrylic 23 19 14 10 6 2  0*  0* 0* indicates that a lowercode was needed but not available; 0 is a valid code.

In contrast to prior art systems in which the antenna impedance must beestimated indirectly, e.g., using the relative strength of the analogsignal returned by a prior art tag 1300 in response to interrogation bythe reader 1304, methods of the present disclosure employ the on-chipre-tuning capability of our tag 1300 to return a digital value whichmore directly indicates the effective antenna impedance. Using areference table having a sufficiently fine resolution, it is possible todetect even modest changes in the relevant environmental conditions. Itwill be readily realized by practitioners in this art that, in generalapplications, environment conditions typically do not change in an idealmanner, and, more typically, changes in one condition are typicallyaccompanied by changes in at least one other condition. Thus, antennadesign will be important depending on the application of interest.

One possible approach mounts the antenna on a substrate that tends toamplify the environmental condition of interest, e.g., temperature.

Shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B is an RF sensing system 1500 constructed inaccordance with one embodiment of embodiments of the present disclosure,and specially adapted to facilitate sensing of one or more environmentalconditions in a selected region surrounding the system 1500. In general,the system 1500 comprises: an RF transceiver 1506; a di-pole antenna1508 comprising a pole 1508A and an anti-pole 1508B; and a tail 1510 ofeffective length T, comprising respective transmission line pole 1510Aand transmission line anti-pole 1510B, each of length T/2. In accordancewith embodiments of the present disclosure, the differentialtransmission line elements 1510A-1510B are symmetrically coupled torespective poles 1508A-1508B at a distance d from the axis of symmetryof the antenna 1508 (illustrated as a dotted line extending generallyvertically from the transceiver 1506). In general, d determines thestrength of the interaction between the transmission line 1510 and theantenna 1508, e.g., increasing d tends to strengthen the interaction. Inthe equivalent circuit shown in FIG. 15B, the voltage differentialbetween the complementary voltage sources 1508A and 1508B tends toincrease as d is increased, and to decrease as d is decreased.Preferably d is optimized for a given application. However, it will berecognized that the sensitivity of the antenna may be degraded as afunction of d if a load, either resistive or capacitive, is imposed onthe tail 1510.

In operation, the tail 1510 uses the transmission line poles 1510A-1510Bto move the impedance at the tip of the tail 1510 to the antenna 1508,thus directly affecting the impedance of the antenna 1508. Preferably,the transceiver 1506 incorporates our tuning circuit 306 so as to detectany resulting change in antenna impedance and to quantize that changefor recovery, e.g., using the method we have described above withreference to FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 illustrates one possible embodiment of the system 1600 in whichthe antenna poles 1508A-1508B are instantiated as a patch antenna(illustrated in light grey), with the antenna pole 1508A connected toone output of transceiver 1506, and the other output of transceiver 1506connected to the antenna anti-pole 1508B. A ground plane 1512A(illustrated in a darker shade of grey than the patch antenna 1508) isdisposed substantially parallel to both the antenna poles 1508A-1508Band a ground plane 1512B disposed substantially parallel to thetransmission line poles 1510A-1510B. As is known, the ground planes 1512are separated from the poles by a dielectric substrate (not shown),e.g., conventional flex material or the like. If the dielectric layerbetween the antenna poles 1508 and ground plane 1512A is of a differentthickness than the layer between the transmission line poles 1510 andthe ground plane 1512B, the ground plane 1512B may be disconnected fromthe ground plane 1512A and allowed to float. In general, this embodimentoperates on the same principles as described above with reference toFIGS. 15A and 15B.

Shown in FIG. 17 is one possible flow for a sensing system 1500 usingthe antenna 114. As has been explained above with reference to FIG. 14,operations 1700 begins with the sensor being first calibrated (step 1702to detect the presence of varying levels of a particular substance. Forthe purposes of this discussion, we mean the term substance to mean anyphysical material, whether liquid, particulate or solid, that is:detectable by the sensor; and to which the sensor demonstrably responds.By detectable, we mean that, with respect to the resonant frequency ofthe antenna in the absence of the substance, the presence of thesubstance in at least some non-trivial amount results in a shift in theresonant frequency of the antenna, thereby resulting in a concomitantadjustment in the value stored in the shift register 1302; and bydemonstrably responds we mean that the value stored in the shiftregister 1302 varies as a function of the level the substance relativeto the tip of the tail 1506 of the antenna 1700. Once calibrated, thesensor can be installed in a structure (step 1704), wherein thestructure can be open, closed or any condition in between. The structurecan then be exposed to the substance (step 1706), wherein the means ofexposure can be any form appropriate for both the structure and thesubstance, e.g., sprayed in aerosol, foam or dust form, immersed inwhole or in part in a liquid, or other known forms. Following a periodof time deemed appropriate for the form of exposure, the sensor isinterrogated (step 1708) and the then-current value stored in the shiftregister 1302 retrieved. By correlating this value with the table ofcalibration data gathered in step 1702, the presence or absence of thesubstance can be detected (step 1710).

In one embodiment, the table of calibration data can be stored in thesensor and selectively provided to the reader during interrogation toretrieve the current value. Alternatively, the table can be stored in,e.g., the reader and selectively accessed once the current value hasbeen retrieved. As will be clear, other embodiments are possible,including storing the table in a separate computing facility adapted toselectively perform the detection lookup when a new current value hasbeen retrieved.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram of a RFID wireless solution provided byembodiments of the present disclosure. Integrated circuit (IC) 1800comprises a memory module 1802, a wireless communication engine 1804,and a sensor engine 1806 which includes an antenna 1808. IC 1800 iscapable of sensing a change in the environmental perimeters proximate toIC 1800 via impedance changes associated with antenna 1808. In otherembodiments, a proximity sensor may be employed to determine theproximity of IC 1800 to a given location or RFID reader by tuning theantenna 1808 and an associated tunable impedance. Memory module 1802 iscoupled with both the wireless communication engine 1804 and sensorengine 1806. Memory module 1802 is capable of storing information anddata gathered by sensor engine 1806 and communicated via wirelesscommunication engine 1804. Further, wireless communication engine 1804and sensor engine 1806 may be fully programmable via wireless methods.Passive RFID sensors of FIG. 18 may be deployed as an array of smartsensors or agents to collect data that may be sent back to a centralprocessing unit.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram of one arrangement of smart sensors and adata processing unit 1902 in accordance with embodiments of the presentdisclosure. Here a series of passive RFID sensors 1800A-N are deployedwherein each sensor may have a unique identification number storedwithin the memory module and communicated via the internal wirelesscommunications engine 1804 to a data processing unit. Interrogator (RFIDreader) 1904 interacts with passive RFID sensors 1800A-N. Interrogator1904 may then communicate with a data processing unit 1902. Thus, thepassive RFID sensor array 1906 may allow information to be sensed andcommunicated via RFID reader 1904, wherein this information may bepre-processed at the passive RFID sensor, or remotely processed at theRFID reader 1904 or data processing unit 1902 depending on the systemneeds.

Embodiments of the present disclosure realize an advantage over priorsystems, in that not all sensing requires high precision sensors whichare both expensive and consume relatively large amounts of power. Thesensors provided by embodiments of the present disclosure are relativemeasurements and post processing of collected measurements yields senseinformation. Calibration may be done during manufacturing at the waferor die level or when the assembled sensors are deployed in the fieldwherein this calibration information may be stored in the memory module1802. This information may be retrieved at any time for baselinecalculations. From relative changes accurate information may then bederived from remote data processing provided by data processing unit1902. Calibration may involve retrieving sensing measurements frommemory module 1802 or current measurements directly form sensor engine1806. The use of this information then allows accurate data associatedwith environmental conditions to be determined. In one example, RFIDsensor array 1906 of FIG. 19 may include temperature sensors. Whereineach passive RFID sensor 1800A-N is an independent sensor and may sensea current condition at time zero that is stored to memory module 1802 orsent to data processing unit 1902. This measurement may be repeated atTime 1. Wherein this data is either stored or transmitted. Dataprocessing unit 1902 may perform more complex calculations. For example,if the temperature is known at Time 0, the sensor information collectedat Time 1, when communicated may be processed using informationassociated with the measurements and known temperature at Time 0 inorder to determine or approximate an actual temperature. This mayinvolve a lookup in a characterized data table or computations based onmathematical models of the calibration of the sensors to determine orapproximate the actual temperature.

Another embodiment can sense the level of wetness or humidity proximateto the sensor engine. In either case, temperature or moisture, raw datamay be collected from passive RFID sensors via the RFID reader forprocessing to be performed by data processing unit 1902 where thecomputation to determine a humidity or temperature measurement.

FIG. 20 provides an illustration of an antenna arrangement in accordancewith embodiments of the present disclosure. In this antenna arrangement2000 the antenna comprises a first antenna wing 2002 and a secondantenna wing 2004 coupled to IC 1800 via connections 2006. IC 1800 mayoptimize the impedance match between the IC 1800 and antenna 2000. Thiscan be accomplished by adding shunt capacitors, variable inductors orvariable impedances across the input terminals of IC 1800. As a result,the input impedance of integrated circuit can be varied between in oneembodiment can be varied between 2.4 minus J 67.6 to 0.92 minus J 41.5ohms. An antenna such as that provided in FIG. 20 may be designed tooperate within these impedance values.

In one embodiment this may provide an RF sensitivity of approximately−10.5 DbM. The antenna provided in FIG. 20 may be optimized to provide aconjugate match in one embodiment at about 960 megahertz. This allowsthe integrated circuit to optimize and match by selecting the bestself-tuning value over the remaining portion of the frequency band. Theoperational bandwidth is proportional to the RFID tag thickness.

FIG. 21 provides an illustration of an antenna arrangement in accordancewith embodiments of the present disclosure. In this antenna arrangement2100 the antenna comprises a first antenna wing 2102 and a secondantenna wing 2104 coupled to IC 1800 via connections 2106. IC 1800 mayoptimize the impedance match between the IC 1800 and antenna 2100. Firstantenna wing 2102 and second antenna wing 2104 can have interdigitatedportions 2108, wherein the coupling of these interdigitated portions2108 varies with dielectric changes in the gap 2110 between theinterdigitated portions 2108. This can be accomplished by addingvariable impedances across the input terminals of IC 1800.

FIGS. 22A and 22B are graphs of the conjugate match factor (CMF) wherethe passive RFID sensor tags have a thickness of 0.03 and 0.05 inchesthick tags with a self-tuning value of 0. FIGS. 23A and 23B provide agraph of the antenna impedance for the previously depicted antenna ofFIG. 20. The rate of change in the impedance data for the thickerversion is shown to be less than the rate of change in the impedance forthe thinner version. This equates to a larger operation bandwidth. FIGS.24A and 24B provide sensitivity graphs for varying thicknessesassociated with the antenna's impendence, directivity, and radiationefficiency values are used to predict the RF sensitivity and read rangeof the RFID tag.

The antennas provided by embodiments of the present disclosure may befabricated in one embodiment using flex PCB materials. Electricalconnections between the bumps of the integrated circuit and the antennaallow the antenna and integrated circuit to be electrically coupled.

FIGS. 25 and 26 are views of an RFID pressure sensing tag 2500 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Pressuresensing tag 2500 is a passive RFID tag, which includes a sensor, thesensor having a variable sensor impedance, and IC 1800. The sensorimpedance varies. In one embodiment conductive plate 2504 is locatedproximate to a tuning circuit 2502. When an external pressure is appliedto the conductive plate, the separation between conductive plate 2504and tuning loop 2502 is reduced causing an impedance change. Theimpedance of the tuning circuit in the processing module coupled to thesensor then produces an output, a sensor code, representative of thepressure applied. This data may be stored within a memory circuit of IC1800 or transmitted to an external reader by the wireless communicationmodule of IC 1800.

Conductive plate 2504 may sit on a compressible material space 2506 asshown in the cross section of FIG. 26. The presence and relativemovement of conductive plate 2504 reduces the inductance of the tuningloop 2502. This causes the tuning module of IC 1800 to generatedifferent sensor codes to compensate for the impedance change. In oneembodiment, compressible material space 2506 has a substantially linearcompression between 25 and 50% compression.

FIG. 27 is a view of an RFID moisture or humidity sensing tag 2700 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Moisture orhumidity sensing 2700 is a passive RFID tag, which includes a sensor,the sensor having a variable sensor impedance, and IC 1800. The sensorimpedance varies as the coupling of interdigitated capacitor 2704responds to environmental changes. In one embodiment interdigitatedcapacitor 2704 is located proximate to a film 2706 applied aboveinterdigitated capacitor 2704. Film 2706 may be a material having anaffinity for water (i.e. moisture or humidity) or other fluids. Thesefluids may include CO, CO₂, Arsenic, H₂S or other known toxins or gasesof interest. When film 2706 absorbs a fluid such as those describedpreviously, the dielectric constant proximate to the interdigitatedcapacitor 2704 changes causing an impedance change. The impedance of theinterdigitated capacitor 2704 sensed by the processing module coupled tothe sensor then produces an output, a sensor code, representative of theabsorbed material within film 2706. This data may be stored within amemory circuit of IC 1800 or transmitted to an external reader by thewireless communication module of IC 1800.

FIG. 28 is a view of a folded RFID tag 2800, including antenna 2802comprising a radiating element, the radiating element comprising a firstwing 2802A and a second wing, the second wing divided into a proximalsection 2802B and a distal section 2802C, the distal section 2802Cfolded onto the proximal section 2802B, and the first wing 2802A foldedonto the folded second wing, the distal section 2802C of the second wingcapacitively couples to the proximal section 2802B and the first wing2802A. These sections are folded about a PCB core.

FIGS. 29A and 29B are block diagrams of arrangements of a self-tuningengine to support the reporting of several stimuli with multiple passiveRFID sensors using an antenna impedance sensing mechanism in accordancewith embodiments of the present disclosure. Module 2900 includes antennaports 2902A-N, self-tuning engines 2904A-N, processing unit 2906,reference input module 2908 and power harvesting module 2910. A numberof antenna ports 2902A-N passively sense stimuli through changingantenna inductance as previously discussed. The self-tuning engines2904A-N adjusts a variable capacitance 2912A-N in response to theinductance sensed as ADC 2914A-N wherein decision module 2916A-N directsfeedback to adjust the value of variable capacitance 2912A-N and producea code reported to processing unit 2906. This sensor code reflects thesensed stimuli relative to the antenna inductor 2918A-N. The stimulisensed may be any combination of stimuli sensed by the changinginductance of the antenna (i.e. pressure, moisture, proximity etc.)Processing unit 2906 is coupled to the self-tuning engines 2904A-N andother potential reference inputs such as those provided by referenceblock 2920. Reference block 2920 allows the processing unit tocompensate for external elements sensitive to external stimulus with aninput to processing unit 2906. One such example may be where an externalelement is sensitive to a condition such as temperature, in this examplereference block 2920 provides a reference signal 2922 for the processingunit 2906. The block as a whole may be powered by a power harvestingengine 2910 to supply on-chip power needs.

Embodiments of the present disclosure encompass the ability for thepassive RFID tag to (or based on the data supplied by the RFID tag) tomake decisions based on multiple sensory inputs. Implemented in anon-chip analog signal processing circuit, single self-tuning engine2904A-N automatically adjusts the input impedance to optimally tune theRFID tag every time it is accessed.

RFID tags based on conventional chips can be detuned by a variety ofexternal factors, most commonly by proximity to liquids or metals. Suchfactors can change the impedance characteristics of a tag's antenna.When the RFID tag chip has a fixed impedance, a mismatch between thechip and the antenna results, reducing the RFID tag's performance.Self-tuning engine 2904A-N maintains the chip-antenna match asconditions change, resulting in more consistent RFID tag performance.

Reference signal 2922 is basically a reference voltage that is generatedby an external sensing mechanism. In combination with one or more of thesingle self-tuning engine 2904A-N, various decisions (e.g. co-dependentdecisions) and sensing can be made based on various parameters collectedfrom these multiple ports. A device can be interfaced to providereference signal 2922. Examples of such devices include an accurateresistor (e.g. 1% resistor) between used to calibrate the variouscircuitry or sensors. The 1% resistor value can be digitized tocalibrate temperature or pressure measurement. Other examples include: Aphotodiode to sense light; A pin diode; A remote temperature sensor; AnLED (Light Emitting Diode); An infrared (I/R) sensor; and Basic I/O,ADC, DAC to input/output data from/to the sensor chip

It may be desired to eliminate process variations or temperaturevariations from a sensing measurement (e.g. gas sensing application).

FIG. 29B illustrates yet another embodiment with two external sensingports providing reference signals 2922A and 2922N. In one embodiment, aWheatstone Bridge (as shown in FIG. 29C) may be coupled to the externalports receiving reference signals 2922A and 2922N. A Wheatstone Bridgeis a well-known electrical circuit that can be used to measure avariation in a resistance independent of any variations except for acontrolled induced variation influencing one resistor of the bridge via,for example a sense material applied on top of the resistor. If acurrent, for example, is applied to the Wheatstone Bridge through onereference signal, a balanced Wheatstone Bridge would yield no netcurrent from the second reference signal in absence of any disturbanceon variation influencing one resistor. Other environmental factors thataffect all four resistors would have no effect on the potential. Theslightest of disturbances that affect the resistance of variationsensing leg of the Wheatstone Bridge would result in change in thesecond reference signal and thus the ability to sense such a change viathe RFID tag/sensor of the disclosure. As discussed in various parts ofthis disclosure, the sense material can cause a change in resistance dueto an environmental variable that is to be sensed and thus would affectthe variation sensing leg differently than its effect on the rest of theresistors. All other environmental variables would affect the fourbalanced resistors equally and as such would be calibrated out and wouldnot be sensed isolating the effect to the environmental variableaffecting the variation sensing leg via the applied sense material.

One of the differences of sensing using an antenna port vs. an externalelement port is the fact that the sensing via the antenna port uses ACpower generated by the application of a CW (continuous wave). Thesensing on an external element port uses DC power that is generated viathe power harvesting engine (using one or more charge pumps) asexplained below. Given the fact that a charge pump efficiency of about20% results in approximately five times increase in power consumption bysensing using the external element port vs. the antenna port (sensingusing high frequency rather than DC).

Power harvesting engine 2910 generates DC power using one or more chargepumps. The charge pump is included in for example regulator 308 of FIG.3, regulator 402 of FIG. 4, regulator 308 of FIG. 8, regulator 3616 ofFIG. 36 and regulator 3616 of FIG. 38. Given the fact that a charge pumpefficiency can greatly vary. The efficiency of a charge pump equalspower delivered to its output (i.e. to the rest of the circuit it is toprovide a supply voltage and current) divided by power consumed at itsinput. A charge pump, as known in the art, is continuously switching andwhose voltage waveforms vary with time, so in general, efficiency can bemeasured as the ratio of the average power at input and output, asopposed to the ratio of instantaneous powers. A simple low efficiencycharge pump can be designed to have a very quick startup time but willresult in a great loss of power and thus be unable to operate a largeamount of circuitry or sustain the operation of a circuit over a longerperiod of time compared to a higher efficiency charge pump. On the otherhand, a higher efficiency charge pump in general will take a longerperiod of time to startup, but will be able to operate more circuitrygiven the same input power and would be able to sustain operation over alonger period of time that its low efficiency counterpart.

In order to achieve quick startup and efficient operation, a set ofcharge pumps may be used having different efficiencies. A first chargepump may be used to initially energize the RFID sensor. Once essentialcircuitry is operational, additional more efficient charge pumps may beused to energize the sensor and the remaining circuitry. This allows fora shorter time requirement to initialize the RFID sensor. Longer termoperation of the RFID sensor may then be switched to the more efficientcharge pump.

The charge pump(s) harvest power from only one of the ports 2902A-N andthen supplies DC power to the rest of the circuitry. Another embodimentincludes the use of two or more charge pumps one corresponding to anindividual port and then combining the currents from both in order toproduce the DC supply voltage for the RFID Sensor. In yet anotherembodiment, two charge pumps can be used for a single self-tuning engine2904A-N regardless of whether the RFID tag a single or multiple singleself-tuning engine 2904A-N/Sensing antenna 2918 arrangements.

Two or more charge pumps may be coupled to an individual antenna. Onecharge pump to tum on the single self-tuning engine 2904A-N quickly, andis thus optimized for low tum-on power which sacrifices efficiency. Thesecond charge pump has a higher tum on power threshold but has a muchhigher efficiency. Both charge pumps may operate in parallel but resultsin a much faster tum-on time for the RFID tag.

Once sufficient stable power is available, power harvesting engine 2910will produce a PowerOK signal to initiate system as seen in FIG. 9 andFIG. 36. A variable resistor can be provided in parallel with aninductor, so as to automatically vary this resistance to control thegain of the tank circuit within the power harvesting engine 2910.

The operation of the self-tuning engine in response to the PowerOKsignal is illustrated in the description of FIG. 36, FIG. 37 and FIG.38.

Another aspect of this disclosure is extending a mode that would allowfor self-operation without the need for a reader but only a continuouswave (CW) source for power. In this self-operation mode, sensor valuescould be self-written in a user defined circular buffer in the memory(or other types of memories).

This mode would be entered with a header length in excess of specifiedperiod of time. For a typical transaction, the part would power up inthe typical ready state to accept commands from a reader and respondlike a traditional tag. Once a sufficient amount of time had passed anda command was not received, the part would enter into the self-operationmode of data logging. Some control and status registers could be presetby the user to configure this mode that could include:

a. data buffer size (1-x words in user bank)

b. data buffer pointer I index

c. Sensor to log (Self-tuning engine and/or Temp)

d. Max/Min threshold value

e. Max/Min Threshold exceeded count

Every time the RFID sensor entered this logging mode the RFID sensorwould measure/log the data, auto increment the pointer/index to the nextword in the buffer and then hold in an idle state. If thresholds wereemployed, a count could simply be maintained for any measurementsover/under the threshold. This is useful in applications like cold chainmanagement of produce or pharmaceuticals where the customer only caresif a perishable product has fallen outside of a specified temperaturewindow.

The primary benefit of this self-operation mode would be the low cost CWsources that could be utilized instead of full reader to create awireless logging system. The CW source would essentially just be tied toa timer that would control when and how long it was turned on. The timeron the CW source would set the data logging interval with one sampletaken every time the CW source was turned on.

The CW sources would be used throughout the system to maintain datacollection operation for the RFID tags and then readers would only beneeded at the endpoints of the system to gather the data logged. For acold chain application, the low cost CW sources could be placed in therefrigeration trucks or warehouses and then the customer would verifythe product condition with a reader when it arrived at market. This isan economically viable idea since the infrastructure required to simplygenerate CW source would be much less than implementing a fullfunctionality reader and communication capabilities.

Yet another aspect of this disclosure is the IC harvesting power from aCW source that is a different bandwidth than the UHF bandwidth for RFIDreaders in the United States (902-928 MHz). But rather using a 2ndSelf-tuning engine engine/antenna/sensor port in that is tuned for otherfrequency bands such as an ISM band source.

Another aspect of this disclosure is the integration of an antenna,self-tuning engine and processing circuitry as part of a silicon waferor a large IC (e.g. Microprocessor die, FPGA die). Such integrationwould enable a variety of applications that are currently not possiblewithout powering an IC (e.g. Micro-processor or FPGA). For example, theability to embed a serial number on in a Magnus register and to use anRFID reader to inventory the ICs. Such devices are very expensive andvaluable and the ability to inventory each IC individually would providegreat economic benefit such as saving time, fraud control and inventorycontrol.

Additionally, having the sensor functionality can alert manufacturers,vendors, distributors and customers pre-production, post-production,pre-shipping, post-shipping and in the field to any exposure toenvironmental variables that are critical to the economic value andoperation of the IC. Such harmful exposure is moisture, for example. Anyof the sensory applications mentioned earlier in this application ispossible.

Additionally, even during operation of such devices, the temperaturegradient across a large die could be checked using RFID readers using asingle integrated device with a tail antenna structure or multipleintegrated devices.

Additional sensory applications are the detection of exposure to gasessuch as Oxygen for example. The locations of embodiments of the presentdisclosure do not have to be part of the IC design process but rather aspart of the scribe area.

In another embodiment, the embodiment of the present disclosure isincluded on the IC masks as part of the post-tape out processing beforemask making operations. The IC might include a reserved location andarea where a particular clearance is defined as part of the design rulesand the embodiments of the present disclosure are placed as part of ahigher level processing after tape out and before mask generation. Thisis possible because of the fact that embodiments of the presentdisclosure require no external connections.

FIG. 30 is a block diagram of a self-tuning engine in accordance withembodiments of the present disclosure. Self-tuning engine 3000 includesan antenna 3002, a variable capacitance or varactor module 3004, a clockacquisition and data conversion module 3006, a monitoring module 3008, adecision module 3010, processing module 3014, and a clock module 3012.

Varactors are basically voltage-controlled capacitors. Varactors areimplemented in various forms, for example as discrete components, inintegrated circuits, in MEMS (micro-electro-mechanical systems).Varactors are widely used in RF circuits as tuning elements.

FIG. 32 illustrates an embodiment of the self-tuning engine provided byembodiments of the present disclosure along with the varactors that aredriven by the tuning circuitry (referred to as self-tuning engine). Thevaractors in this embodiment are enhancement MOS varactors. In oneembodiment, the engine generates 5 bits of sensor code (also referred toas MMS code) that are then converted to 16 bits (i.e. n=16) ofthermometer codes. Each bit of the thermometer code drives one varactorunit. In this embodiment there are a total of 16 varactor units (eachunit is a varactor on its own). Each code can be either VDDA (a highvoltage) or VSSA (a low voltage signal). The antenna ports; ANTP andANTN, are set at a voltage value of VDDA/2.0 under normal operation.Looking at this from the varactor perspective, the Gate of each of the16 varactor units will always be at VDDA/2.0V with respect to Bulk,while the S/D, (Source/Drain), connection of each of the 16 varactorunits will be set to VDDA or 0V with respect to Bulk, depending on thesensor code generated. Hence, each of the 16 varactor units will be setto either its min capacitance or max capacitance value. The totalcapacitance of the varactor structure is the sum of these minimaxvalues. This implementation is referred to here as a digitalimplementation of an embodiment of the self-tuning engine provided byembodiments of the present disclosure.

One embodiment of the present disclosure uses non-equal capacitors inthe self-tuning engine with no simple ratio metric relationship (e.g.integer multiple or ratio of integers) to implement dithering.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure is the combination of acounter and a 1-bit LFSR to achieve 3 pseudo pseudo-random bits that arerandom enough (reasonably uncorrelated).

Another embodiment of the present disclosure is the high resolutionoptimization, or system estimation, by averaging the path of a HillClimbing algorithm in its terminal limit cycle after adding noise to thesystem perturbation.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure is inference of the preciseoptimization of a physical system by adding randomly selected elementsto a coarsely variable physical parameter. For example, adding randomlyselected capacitors to dither the capacitor value in a tank circuit as ameans to precisely determine the inductance.

In an embodiment, the self-tuning Engine is effectively a Hill Climbingalgorithm which we employ to find the setting of a 5-bit capacitor arraywhich maximizes the received signal.

For system sensitivity purposes, the 5-bit capacitor array is all the“resolution” we need to achieve near optimal tuning of the antennaresonance.

For the tank circuit system, we know there are no (false) local maxima,so there is no need for stochastic search algorithms.

For sensing applications, however, to achieve higher resolution (ideally10-bits or more) of the capacitance which exactly tunes the resonance inthe presence of the variable inductance of the sensor structure.Achieving higher resolution with a higher resolution capacitor array isnot desirable because a larger array would take more die area, degradesensitivity due to added parasitics. Taking smaller steps in capacitancewould “break” the Hill Climbing algorithm because the system response tothe smaller capacitance step would be too small to overcome offsets inthe analog differencing circuit that calculates when to changedirection. Thus, one goal of dithering within embodiments of the presentdisclosure utilizes dithering to randomize the path taken by the HillClimbing algorithm in such a way that averaging the 5-bit capacitorselections made by the algorithm will increase the resolution andaccuracy of the calculated capacitor code. This allows dithering withcoarse system perturbation to achieve high resolution System Estimation.

The self-tuning algorithm works by continuing to increase (or decrease)the capacitor code until the received signal stops increasing. When thesystem response to a change in capacitance is negative (less signal),the algorithm reverses direction and continues the search. Assuming alarge initial mistuning, the algorithm takes multiple steps in theproper direction until it takes one step too far. From that point on,the algorithm falls into a limit cycle.

-   -   a. Imagine a case where the ideal code is 5. The self-tuning        search algorithm will eventually fall into the following 3-level        pattern: 5, 6, 5, 4, 5, 6, 5, 4, 5, 6, 5, 4, 5 . . .    -   b. Now imagine a case where the ideal code is 5.5. The        self-tuning search algorithm will eventually fall into a 4-level        pattern which is more chaotic because there is no difference in        system response between the 5 code and the 6 code, and hence the        algorithm will sometimes change direction after a step from 5 to        6 (or 6 to 5) and sometimes not: 5, 6, 7, 6, 7, 6, 5, 4, 5, 4,        5, 6, 7, 6, 5 . . .

Given the limit cycle behavior, running the algorithm for a fixed periodof time and using the result does not work well. Doing so essentially“samples” the limit cycle process, resulting in a code that could be 1code off (3-level limit cycle) or 1.5 codes off (4-level limit cycle).The original self-tuning engine averages the 5-bit capacitor codes for24 trials to properly extract the centroid of the limit cycle. Forsystems with ideal capacitor settings near a whole code, for example5.2, the resulting 3-level pattern will average exactly to the middlecode of the pattern because the code happens to be of length 4. Even ifone were to look at the LSBs of the averaging register there would be noadditional information—the LSBs (below the 5-bit array code) will beidentically 0 after 24 cycles. For systems with ideal capacitor settingsnear a code gap, for example 5.6, the LSBs of the averaging registerwill have useful information, in the presence of circuit noise, sincethe system is more likely to recognize a step from 5 to 6 as an increasein the system response than a step from 6 to 5. Therefore, the systemwill see more 6's and 7's than 4's and 5's in the limit cycle, and theaverage will be a little larger than 5.5.

Embodiments of the present disclosure use three mechanisms to achieve aneffective self-tuning Dithering. First, probabilistically flipping thedirection decision broadens the limit cycle to more codes by forcing baddirection decisions. Extreme direction excursions will be un-biased andwill not correlate with the correct decision direction. Therefore, thenoise added to the limit cycle will be zero mean and carry noinformation. Ultimately probabilistically flipping the directiondecision will not test the system at points in between the 5-bitcapacitor values.

A second mechanism adds noise at the input to the comparator. Thisbroadens the limit cycle to more codes by forcing bad directiondecisions. Extreme direction excursions will be biased and willcorrelate with the correct decision direction, thus influencing theaverage in the right direction. There is an optimal noise level—bigenough to provide effective dithering, not so large as to requireexcessive averaging. The right amount of dither is directly dependent onsystem Q since the system response to a capacitor step is larger withhigher Q. Ultimately does not test the system at points in between the5-bit capacitor values.

A third mechanism provides for random switching of sub-LSB Capacitors.This mechanism broadens the limit cycle to more codes by forcing baddirection decisions. Extreme direction excursions are biased andcorrelate with the correct decision direction, thus influencing theaverage in the right direction. There is an optimal noise level (bigenough to provide effective dithering, not so large that a lot ofaveraging is required). The right amount of dither is independent ofsystem Q. Tests the system at points in between the 5-bit capacitorvalues.

Non-Equal dither capacitors of the variable capacitance array of FIG. 30can provide more fine-grained system sampling than equal-weighted orbinary weighted caps. To do so, each capacitor is either In or Out; whatmatters is the change in capacitance in a given step. For example, 3Equal-weighted caps of value ⅓ can therefore achieve values of: −1, −⅔,−⅓, 0, +⅓, +⅔, +1 (7 values in all); 3 Binary—weighted capacitors of ⅛,¼, ½ can reach: −⅞, −¾, −⅝, −½, −⅜, −¼, ⅛, 0, ⅛, ¼, ⅜, ½, ⅝, ¾, ⅞ (15values in all); and 3 Capacitors of values 0.3, 0.45 and 0.7 can reach:27 values from −1.5 to +1.5. This third choice results in smootherdither curves than an equal weighted or binary weighted set.

The 3 dither caps ideally require 3 independent pseudo-random sequences.A pseudo-random sequence of length (2̂N−1) can be generated veryefficiently using a Linear Feedback Shift Register (LFSR). An N-bit LFSRrequires just N ‘D’ Flip-Flops and a couple of logic gates. While theoutput of the LFSR is uncorrelated in time, the bits within the LFSR areperfectly correlated in time (separated by a delay), so it is notpossible to use 3 bits from a single LFSR for the 3 dither caps. AnN-bit counter is available, and was found that 3 reasonably independentsequences could be created by logically combining bits from the LFSR andthe counter.

The following logical combinations were found to yield results close tothat of 3 independent random sequences:

a. C2 = L[6] 0.7 Unit Cap b. C1 = L[3] NXOR B[0] 0.45 Unit Cap c. C0 =L[6] NXOR B[1] 0.3 Unit Cap Given: L[6:0] - 7-bit LFSR (127 bitsequence), B[6:0] - 7-bit counter With averaging over 128 self-tuningsteps.

FIGS. 31A-31D are graphs of simulations performed with an RLC TankCircuit system model with variable center frequency and Q. Theself-tuning Algorithm simulations for 4 cases are presented. FIG. 31Apresents the self-tuning Algorithm simulation for “No dither.” FIG. 31Bpresents the self-tuning Algorithm simulation for “1024 step averagingwith random dither bits (ideal).” FIG. 31C presents the self-tuningAlgorithm simulation for “128 step averaging with random dither bits.”Finally, FIG. 31D presents the self-tuning Algorithm simulation for “128step averaging with reduced complexity pseudo pseudo-random ditherbits.”

The simulations were performed by sweeping L so as to sweep the target Cfrom 9.8 to 11.2 and running one trial at each target C. The performanceis best for Q>15. The above embodiments showed a resolution of 12-bits,truncated to 9-bits returned to the reader. For Q>3, the interpolationerror for a single trial at a single (reader) frequency is approximately0.1 Unit Cap which represents roughly 8-bits of accuracy. Theself-tuning algorithm finds the Cap that maximizes the system response,which is not the natural frequency. This systematic error isapproximately 0.15 Unit Cap at Q=10 and grows for lower Q. However,accuracy improves with averaging over frequency band.

Returning to FIG. 30, the clock acquisition and data conversion module3006 will sense a voltage associated with the variable capacitance orvaractor 3004 that may change as a function of antennae impedancewherein the impedance is changed based on environmental stimulus orother like conditions. Monitoring module 3008 may monitor phase andamplitude or other qualities associated with the data collected by clockand data conversion module 3006. This information is then provided toprocessing module 3014 which in conjunction with decision module 3010may place capacitors 3016 A through N in service within the variablecapacitance or varactor 3004 in order to maximize power transfer orother like considerations with antennae 3002. The manipulation of thevaractor 3004 will relate to a sensor code as discussed previously orother like signal. Clock 3012 provides a clock input to the variousmodules within Engine 3000 such that the data acquisition and theactions of the various processing modules may be coordinated.

Embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a passive RFID sensor(IC chip, antenna, and package) such that once an event of interest hasoccurred, the structure of the antenna and package may change itscharacteristics in an irreversible manner. FIG. 34 provides a flow chartof one such embodiment. In Block 3402, a passive RFID sensor, such as anantenna may be inlaid within the structure wherein a physicalcharacteristic of the antenna and/or the sensor, such as impedance, maybe altered when exposed to a sudden force. For example, an antenna maybe wrapped around a glass or other structure. The original uniqueimpedance value may be recorded and stored for comparison in block 3404.In block 3406, the impedance value may be read on an ongoing basiswherein when the impedance value or a code associated with the impedancevalue changes, that change signals that the event of interest may haveoccurred. Such an event may be when an object on which the passivesensor is mounted has been dropped.

In an embodiment, step 3406 of FIG. 34 can be altered so rather thansensing on an ongoing basis, the impedance is read at a later time thatis offset from the event that caused the original unique impedance tochange value. The sensing in step 3408 thus indicates that theparticular event occurred that changed the original unique impedancebecause the new code read is different than the original code recordedin step 3404. The recording can be locally on the tag itself via anon-volatile memory or in a database remote from the tag as isassociated with the unique identification number of the tag. In any ofthe cases, the magnitude of the impedance change, results in a differentcode change and thus is used to also detect the magnitude or amount ofexposure to an event or and environmental change.

An embodiment of the present disclosure includes the permanentactivation (i.e. irreversible change of a state) of an RFID tag/sensorby a non-powering event (without exposure to any RF signal that powersthe RFID tag/sensor). In one embodiment, a non-powering event wouldresult in a change in the characteristics of the antenna. An example isthe fingers of the antenna getting closer to each other thus changingthe impedance characteristics of the antenna and thus the tuningfrequency that a Self-tuning engine optimizes power at. So fundamentallyresulting in a code, when the RFID tag/sensor is queried by a RFIDreader or powered up by a CW signal (or powered up in any way, e.g. viaa DC or AC voltage applied to the IC) that is different than a uniquecalibrated code in the RFID tag that was stored before the occurrence ofthe event, (e. g. at the factory, at the warehouse, prior to includingthe RFID tag sensor on/in an object that experiences the event, whenstacking object on a shelf, when object is loaded on a transporter,etc.).

An example of such an event is the dropping of a box that has the RFIDtag/sensor affixed to it or within it. The processes that can affectsuch a change include, for example, acceleration of the object. Forexample, the antenna printed on a glass slide and a structure with aball bearing that a change in acceleration would result in the ballbearing breaking the glass slide and results in a permanent change inthe impedance of the antenna.

For all of the above embodiments in this section, the RFID tag/sensorcan be read in multiple states, the calibrated neutral state (i.e. itsunique impedance) and the one or more states after exposure to an event.In contrast to prior art where the RFID tag can be read in one state andthe absence of a reading is an assumption of exposure (a second state).Such prior art results in an inability to distinguish between exposureto the desired event, removal (dislodging) of tag, or tag failure. Thecurrent disclosure does not suffer from this drawback and a readingwould clearly indicate the exposure to the event and, in someembodiments, the level of exposure.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a passive radio frequencyidentification (RFID) sensor. This passive RFID sensor includes anantenna, a processing module, and a wireless communication module. Theantenna has an antenna impedance that may vary with an environment inwhich the antenna is placed. The processing module couples to theantenna and has a tuning module that may vary a reactive componentimpedance coupled to the antenna in order to change a system impedance.The system impedance including both the antenna impedance and thereactive component impedance. The tuning module then produces animpedance value representative of the reactive component impedance. Amemory module may store the impedance value which may then later becommunicated to an RFID reader via the wireless communication module.The RFID reader may then exchange the impedance value representative ofthe reactive components of impedance with the RFID reader such that theRFID reader or another external processing unit may process theimpedance value in order to determine environmental conditions at theantenna. These environmental conditions may include but are not limitedto temperature, humidity, wetness, or proximity of the RFID reader tothe passive RFID sensor.

In another embodiment, a conductor or transmission line couples theantenna to the processing module allowing the antenna to be positionedremotely or offset from the processing module. In yet anotherembodiment, a sensor having the sensor impedance that varies with theenvironment may be coupled to the processing module wherein the sensorimpedance may be sensed via a sensor tuning module in much the same waythat the antenna impedance is sensed and since a reactive componentimpedance is determined and a value representative of the impedance isproduced which may again be transmitted to an RFID reader for externalprocessing.

In one embodiment, the sensor is offset from the processing module via aconductor or transmission line. In one particular embodiment the sensoris positioned within a cavity offset from the processing module whereinthe cavity is impervious to radio frequency signals. This sensor may bean open circuited transmission line where the open circuitedtransmission line only introduces a capacitance when liquids are presentproximate to the open circuit transmission line. The capacitance changesin such an example may change with the volume of liquid proximate to theopen circuited transmission line. This is extremely useful when placingliquid or water sensors within cavities such as those contained within avehicle chassis or when the cavities are prone to fluid incursion. Thisallows the sensor to be offset from the processing module where theenvironment to be sensed is hostile to the processing module.

In another embodiment, the sensor may be an interdigitated capacitorwherein the capacitor's impedance changes in response to moisture, i.e.humidity proximate to the interdigitated capacitor. In yet anotherembodiment, the sensor may be a conductive plate proximate to a tuningfork wherein the conductive plate is separated from the tuning fork by acompressible insulating material wherein an external pressure applied tothe conductive plate changes an impedance or inductance of the tuningcircuit. In the case of the interdigitated capacitor, the impedance maychange in response to an environmental dialectic constant change in theenvironment proximate to the interdigitated capacitor. This may occurwhen different gasses or fluids proximate to the sensor involve a changein dielectric constant at the sensor as may be caused by changing gas.Thus in one embodiment the passive RFID sensor may be used to detect anenvironment toxin such as CO, CO₂, arsenic, hydrogen sulfide or otherhazardous chemicals.

A change in an effective dielectric constant may involve applicationsinvolving moisture, including water vapor detection, sensing of wetmaterial stock when wetness causes product loss or deterioration,sensing of wetness in applications sensitive to mold or corrosion, anddetection of leaks in hard-to-access locations. Solid state films,having an effective dielectric constant, react to a variety of gaseswith a change in resistance or effective dielectric constant, and enablethe construction of sensor tags that respond to industrially significantgases such as CO, CO₂, NO_(x), H₂S, O₂, and Cl₂. Thin films depositedonto an interdigitated capacitor can produce sufficient change incircuit Q to build wireless passive sensors readable through the sensorcode.

In one embodiment, a non-powering event would result in a change in thecharacteristics of the antenna. An example is the fingers of the antennagetting closer to each other thus changing the impedance characteristicsof the antenna and thus the tuning frequency that a Self-tuning engineoptimizes power at. So fundamentally resulting in a code, when the RFIDtag/sensor is queried by a RFID reader or powered up by a CW signal (orpowered up in any way, e.g. via a DC or AC voltage applied to the IC)that is different than a unique calibrated code in the RFID tag that wasstored before the occurrence of the event, (e. g. at the factory, at thewarehouse, prior to including the RFID tag sensor on/in an object thatexperiences the event, when stacking object on a shelf, when object isloaded on a transporter, etc.).

Physical distortion of the antenna itself causes a change in resonantfrequency of the antenna, and the self-tuning engine can adjust a sensorcode to accommodate the change. Applications are possible for alarms,stress detection, such as for bridge integrity monitoring and inflationof flexible objects. An example of such an event is the dropping of abox that has the RFID tag/sensor affixed to or within the box.

The processes that can affect such a change also include, for example,acceleration of the object to which the RFID tag/sensor is affixed. Forexample, the antenna printed on a glass slide and a structure with aball bearing that a change in acceleration would result in the ballbearing breaking the glass slide and results in a permanent change inthe impedance of the antenna.

FIG. 35A is a diagram of an embodiment of the present disclosure thatprovides a non-electronic memory passive RFID sensor. RFID sensor 3500experiences a changing impedance due to the proximity of a metal object3502 (e.g. ball bearing) to the tuning loop 3504 in the antenna.Acceleration results in the release and entrapment of the metal object3502 closer to the tuning loop 3504 via an irreversible mechanism, forexample a one-way hinge 3506 or stop that the acceleration results inthe release of such a stop. Additionally, the process might beimplemented in a reverse structure with the metal object 3502 is inclose proximity to the tuning loop (initially in 2nd compartment 3508and an acceleration event results in the metal object 3502 beingirreversibly displaced from the proximity location to the tuning loopresulting in a change in impedance and as a result a permanent change inthe tuning code. The effect could include the permanent release of theball bearing from an open ended tube past the stop hinge.

FIG. 35B is a diagram of an embodiment of the present disclosure thatprovides a non-electronic memory passive RFID sensor. In this embodimentof an RFID tag/acceleration sensor with non-electronic memory, anacceleration event is detected by a metal proximity change (e.g. metalplate 3510 with a fixed attachment point) resulting in antenna impedancechange and therefore code change when tag is queried. For example, theantenna can be on a solid substrate. Different strength rivets result inthe different threshold values. Furthermore, a tab can be implemented inorder to ensure that the plate is never accelerated back into itsoriginal position. A fraction of an inch displacement from the tuningloop is sufficient to cause an impedance change that results in asignificant and easily detectable code change. Another embodiment wouldaffix the metal plate to the tuning inductor with a particular type ofglue that the acceleration would cause a permanent displacement(detachment of the glue).

FIG. 35C is a diagram of an embodiment of the present disclosure thatprovides a non-electronic memory passive RFID sensor. In this embodimentof an RFID tag/acceleration sensor with non-electronic memory, arotational or acceleration event is detected by a metal proximity change(e.g. metal plate 3512 with a pivot point) resulting in antennaimpedance change and therefore code change when tag is queried.

FIG. 35D is a diagram of an embodiment of the present disclosure thatprovides a non-electronic memory passive RFID sensor. In this embodimentof an RFID tag/acceleration sensor with non-electronic memory, atemperature change sensor using a wax strip 3512 that changes the areaof the tuning loop 3514 (inductor) when melted resulting in a codechange when tag is queried. An example is an antenna whose dielectricconstant changes when, for example, ice melts with the wetness(moisture) resulting in a change in characteristics of the antenna.

Temperature change above and/or below a specific temperature or range(can be programmable, e.g. a code in a register representing the tuningcode at a particular temperature or codes in multiple registersrepresenting a range of temperatures).

In an embodiment, a strip of wax with conductive properties (particlesof metal embedded in the wax) is placed in the inductive tuning loop ofan antenna of an RFID tag. When the wax intact, the loop area is smallerthan if the conductive wax did not exist. When the wax melts the area ofthe inductor increases and as a result changes the inductance of theloop resulting in a detectable code change. It is well known that theinductance of the loop is linearly proportional to the loop area.

To create multiple temperature thresholds, several such strips of waxwith different melting point temperatures could be embedded in more thanone location. The result is the ability to detect a lower and upperbound temperature range. For example, this can be embedded in a productwhere a 1st temperature increase results in a shorter shelf time andthus affects the price of the products and a 2nd temperature increasewould result in a product that is unacceptable. This is can be expandedto multiple temperature ranges using the same process.

The application of various strips of material (e.g. wax) can be done viascreen printing.

FIG. 35E is a diagram of an embodiment of the present disclosure thatprovides a non-electronic memory passive RFID sensor. In this embodimentof an RFID tag/acceleration sensor with non-electronic memory, atemperature change sensor using a wax strip 3512A that changes the areaof the tuning loop 3514 (inductor) when melted resulting in a codechange when tag is queried. A second temperature change sensor using awax strip 3512B that changes the area of the tuning loop 3514 (inductor)when melted resulting in a further code change when tag is queried.Another embodiment of an RFID tag/temperature sensor with non-electronicmemory may detect a temperature change with a wax substance on aninterdigitated capacitor in parallel with the tuning loop that changesthe reactance of the antenna when melted resulting in a code change whentag is queried. FIGS. 35D and 35E are examples where a similar conceptof changing the loop inductance (geometry) is used to change theinterdigitated capacitances dielectric material. The melting of the waxplaced between the digits of an interdigitated capacitor would result ina change in the dielectric material of the capacitor and as a result achange in the tuning code from the calibrated code when the RFID tag ispowered up (e.g. read). In order to achieve multiple thresholds,parallel, horizontal or vertical, strips of wax of various meltingtemperatures can be placed on top of the interdigitated capacitor andthe melting of these individual wax strips would result in a differenttuning code when the RFID tag is powered up.

FIG. 35F is a diagram of an embodiment of the present disclosure thatprovides a non-electronic memory passive RFID sensor. In this embodimentof an RFID tag/moisture sensor with non-electronic memory, segments 3516allows a moisture sensor that detects a wetness event using conductiveink that is water soluble that changes the length of the antenna whendissolved by moisture resulting in a code change when tag is queried.

In another embodiment, segments 3516 allow an embodiment of an RFIDtag/light sensor with non-electronic memory. Segments 3516 detects alight exposure event using a photo resistive film that changes thelength of the antenna or alternatively on top of an interdigitatedcapacitor in parallel with tuning loop that permanently changesresistance when exposure occurs that changes resulting in a code changewhen tag is queried.

By changing the tuning inductor's loop area, code movements are achievedthat are arbitrarily low or high and are completely controllable by thecalculation of the impedance change due to the loop area change.

It must be noted that changing the tuning inductive loop does notsignificantly change the read range for the RFID tag, if at all. Anotherembodiment is to change of length of antenna in order to control theimpedance, where the ink is placed such that the length of the antennais changed. Such an application would result in a change in the readrange of the RFID tag.

For the embodiments where an interdigitated capacitor in parallel withthe tuning inductor is used, the Self-tuning engine is used to tune outany effects of such a capacitor. The Self-tuning engine is designed suchthat the additional capacitor has no effect on either the tuning rangeor the readability range (because we can simply change the loop area ofthe inductor to compensate for any reactance change due to the additionof the interdigitated capacitor in parallel).

Another embodiment is used for ammonia leak measurement. This can bedone by using a polymer that dissolves due to ammonia rather than inwater. The idea is that the structure can be used to detect any fluidexposure that can cause a particular polymer or material to dissolve.

Another embodiment involves the use of a tuning loop (inductive loop)rather than the interdigitated capacitors used in a tail structure. Allof the above mentioned embodiments involving an inductive loop areapplicable to the tail structures. In additions, all of the abovementioned embodiments involving an interdigitated capacitor areapplicable to the tail structures with such a capacitor.

Another embodiment involves the use of water soluble conductive ink andthe antenna immersed or in contact with such an ink (e.g. a layer of inkor a blot of ink on top of all or parts of the antenna). As with the waxembodiments above different types of ink with different solubilitypoints would create the same effect and structures as the wax.

Another embodiment is a tag in a diaper. The antenna has onecharacteristic impedance when dry, another when the water is coveringthe entire tag and various codes in-between when portions of the RFIDtag is covered.

For sensing level of wetness, in for example a diaper, several tags canbe used to detect water level/levels of wetness. However, using the DCports a single tag with a long tail can be used whose impedance willincrementally change as the level of wetness in, for example, the diaperrises.

In another embodiment, the RFID tag/sensor is used to detect a powerlessexposure to light. The principal is putting a photo film that changesconductivity or dissolved with light exposure over the interdigitatedcapacitor of the tuning. When the capacitor is DC shorted due to thephoto film having very low resistance we have a structure that lookslike two parallel inductors. When the photo film's resistancepermanently changes due to light exposure resulting in a highresistance, we have a capacitor in parallel with the tuning inductor andthus resulting in a Self-tuning engine code change when tag is queried.

In another embodiment, a non-electronic memory sensor one that detects apressure event with a film that deforms and stays deformed once exposedto pressure. The embodiments are similar to the one described above.Basically, separating the metal from the tuning loop via wax/plastic orany material that once deformed results in permanent proximity change.

In another embodiment, tuning loops, antennas and/or interdigitatedcapacitors are covered with strips of adhesive material that changecolor and thus impedance with exposure to temperature, light or thelike. Temperature sensitive resistive properties that is irreversibleonce the temperature event occurs.

In another embodiment, the RFID tag/sensor of the disclosure is used asan orientation sensor. The calibrated sensor (unique reference code)includes a tube over the antenna with a ball bearing or other metallicobject in close proximity to the antenna tuning loop. The sensor isdeployed such that the tube is vertically affixed or semi-vertically(the angle is dependent on the tilting threshold desired for detection)affixed to an upright object for which detection of a tilting effect isdesired and the top cover of the tube is removed. The effect of thetilting past the threshold angle is the permanent displacement of themetal object (falling out of the tube) and thus the permanent change isthe RFID tag tuning code once the RFID tag is queried and thus thedetection of the tilting event.

In yet another embodiment, mercury can be used as the metallic proximityobject to the tuning loop.

For shipping the RFID tags with, for example the wax structures, aplastic adhesive strip can be placed over the wax in order to prevent itfrom being displaced if exposed to a temperature variation duringshipping to the RFID tag customer. When the customer affixes the RFIDtag to the final product, the adhesive strip is removed and thusenabling the detection of the destructive event.

Another embodiment is the use of a bimetallic strip that moves withtemperature as an antenna structure. For example, embedding such abimetallic strip in waxy material would irreversibly disturb that wax itis immersed in once a temperature event has occurred.

For all of the above embodiments in this section, the RFID tag/sensorcan be read in multiple states, the calibrated unique neutral state andthe one or more states after exposure to an event. In contrast to priorart where the RFID tag can be read in one state and the absence of areading is an assumption of exposure (a second state). The result in aninability to distinguish between exposure to the desired event, removal(dislodging) of tag, or tag failure. The current disclosure does notsuffer from this drawback and a reading would clearly indicate theexposure to the event and, in some embodiments, the level of exposure.

Embodiments of the present disclosure allow for combining multiplesensing applications in a single die thus expanding the applicationspace of passive RFID sensors. Additional applications include altitudesensing (via pressure sensing), external accurate temperature sensing,dew point and differentials (temperature, moisture, etc.).

The passive RFID sensor may also include an RFID power harvesting moduleoperable to receive energy form the RFID reader and power the passiveRFID sensor with the received power. The processing module may determinehow much of this energy is to be consumed by the passive RFID sensor anddivert any remaining energy to a reservoir power harvesting element.Additionally, the memory module may store identification information forthe passive RFID sensor wherein the identification information may beprovided with the impedance values associated with the antenna or aseparate sensor and be provided to the RFID sensor for furtherprocessing. Additionally, a time stamp may be applied to thisinformation. This may allow the RFID reader to generate an alarm signalbased on certain measured environmental conditions.

Thus, it is apparent that embodiments of the present disclosure haveprovided an effective and efficient method and apparatus for sensingchanges to an environment to which the RFID tag is exposed.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that modifications andvariations can be made without departing from the spirit of the presentdisclosure. Therefore, we intend that embodiments of the presentdisclosure encompass all such variations and modifications as fallwithin the scope of the appended claims the system controllers orprocessors may comprise a microprocessor may be a single processingdevice or a plurality of processing devices. Such a processing devicemay be a microprocessor, micro-controller, digital signal processor,microcomputer, central processing unit, field programmable gate array,programmable logic device, state machine, logic circuitry, analogcircuitry, digital circuitry, and/or any device that manipulates signals(analog and/or digital) based on operational instructions. Memory maycouple to the microprocessor in the form of a single memory device or aplurality of memory devices. Such a memory device may be a read-onlymemory, random access memory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory,static memory, dynamic memory, flash memory, cache memory, and/or anydevice that stores digital information. Note that when themicroprocessor implements one or more of its functions via a statemachine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry,the memory storing the corresponding operational instructions may beembedded within, or external to, the circuitry comprising the statemachine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry.The memory stores, and the processing module executes, operationalinstructions corresponding to at least some of the steps and/orfunctions illustrated in the FIGs.

As one of average skill in the art will appreciate, the term“substantially” or “approximately”, as may be used herein, provides anindustry-accepted tolerance to its corresponding term. Such anindustry-accepted tolerance ranges from less than one percent to twentypercent and corresponds to, but is not limited to, component values,integrated circuit process variations, temperature variations, rise andfall times, and/or thermal noise. As one of average skill in the artwill further appreciate, the term “operably coupled”, as may be usedherein, includes direct coupling and indirect coupling via anothercomponent, element, circuit, or module where, for indirect coupling, theintervening component, element, circuit, or module does not modify theinformation of a signal but may adjust its current level, voltage level,and/or power level. As one of average skill in the art will alsoappreciate, inferred coupling (i.e., where one element is coupled toanother element by inference) includes direct and indirect couplingbetween two elements in the same manner as “operably coupled”. As one ofaverage skill in the art will further appreciate, the term “comparesfavorably”, as may be used herein, indicates that a comparison betweentwo or more elements, items, signals, etc., provides a desiredrelationship. For example, when the desired relationship is that signal1 has a greater magnitude than signal 2, a favorable comparison may beachieved when the magnitude of signal 1 is greater than that of signal 2or when the magnitude of signal 2 is less than that of signal 1.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure.As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof. The corresponding structures,materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus functionelements in the claims below are intended to include any structure,material, or act for performing the function in combination with otherclaimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the presentdisclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration anddescription, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to theinvention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations willbe apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing fromthe scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosen anddescribed in order to best explain the principles of the invention andthe practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in theart to understand the invention for various embodiments with variousmodifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprises: receiving, by a first radiofrequency identification (RFID) sensor, a first data request signal froman RFID reader, wherein the first RFID sensor is associated with a firstobject element; sending, by the first RFID sensor, a first radiofrequency (RF) signal that includes first data to the RFID reader inresponse to the first data request signal, wherein the first data isinformation regarding the first object element; receiving, by a secondRFID sensor, a second data request signal from the RFID reader oranother RFID reader, wherein the second RFID sensor is associated with asecond object element: sending, by the second RFID sensor, a second RFsignal that includes second data to the RFID reader or the other RFIDreader in response to the second data request signal, wherein the seconddata is information regarding the second object element; sending, by theRFID reader, a representation of the first data to a data processingunit; sending, by the RFID reader or the other RFID reader, arepresentation of the second data to the data processing unit;processing, by the data processing unit, the representation of the firstdata to determine a first data point regarding the first object element,where the first data point includes one or more of: location,temperature, moisture level, pressure, and another environmentalcondition; processing, by the data processing unit, the representationof the second data to determine a second data point regarding the secondobject element, where the second data point includes one or more of:location, temperature, moisture level, pressure, and anotherenvironmental condition; and processing, by the data processing unit,the first and second data points to determine an environmentalrelationship between the first and second object elements.
 2. The methodof claim 1 further comprises: receiving, by a third RFID sensor, a thirddata request signal from the RFID reader, wherein the third RFID sensoris associated with the first object element; sending, by the third RFIDsensor, a third RF signal that includes third data to the RFID reader inresponse to the third data request signal, wherein the third data isadditional information regarding the first object element; sending, bythe RFID reader, a representation of the third data to the dataprocessing unit; and processing, by the data processing unit, therepresentation of the first data and the representation of the thirddata to determine the first data point regarding the first objectelement.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the representation of thefirst data comprises one or more of: the first data point, a digitalvalue representative of the first data point, an analog signalrepresentative of the first data point, an encoded version of the firstdata point, an encoded version of the digital value, and an encodedversion of the analog signal.
 4. The method of claim 1 furthercomprises: processing, by the data processing unit, the representationof the first data to determine a first location of the first objectelement, where the first object element is associated with a firstobject; processing, by the data processing unit, the representation ofthe second data to determine a second location of the second objectelement, where the second object element is associated with a secondobject; and processing, by the data processing unit, the first andsecond locations to determine a distance between the first and secondobjects; and when the distance exceeds a proximity threshold,generating, by the data processing unit, a separation alarm.
 5. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the first RFID sensor generates the firstdata by: detecting a variance of one or more RF characteristics of thefirst RFID sensor from a desired value of the one or more RFcharacteristics, wherein the one or more RF characteristics includes oneor more of an impedance at a frequency, a resonant frequency, a qualityfactor and a gain; adjusting, based on the variance, a tuning circuit ofthe first RFID sensor to substantially re-establish the desired value ofthe one or more RF characteristics; and generating the first data inaccordance with the adjusting of the tuning circuit that was based onthe variance.
 6. The method of claim 5 further comprises: adjusting,based on a known variance, the tuning circuit to substantiallyre-establish the desired value of the one or more RF characteristics;generating calibration data based on the in accordance with theadjusting of the tuning circuit that was based on the known variance;and generating the first data in accordance with the adjusting of thetuning circuit that was based on the variance and calibration data. 7.The method of claim 1 further comprises: processing, by the dataprocessing unit, the representation of the first data to determine afirst environmental condition of the first object element, where thefirst object element is associated with a first object; processing, bythe data processing unit, the representation of the second data todetermine a second environmental condition of the second object element,where the second object element is associated with the first object; andprocessing, by the data processing unit, the first and secondenvironmental conditions to determine an environmental relationship ofthe first object.
 8. The method of claim 1 further comprises:processing, by the data processing unit, the representation of the firstdata to determine an identifier of the first object element, where thefirst object element is associated with a first object and theidentifier is for the first object; processing, by the data processingunit, the representation of the second data to determine a moisturelevel of the second object element, where the second object element isassociated with the first object and the moisture level is for the firstobject; and processing, by the data processing unit, the identifier andmoisture level to establish that the first object has the moisturelevel.
 9. The method of claim 1 further comprises: processing, by thedata processing unit, the representation of the first data to determinean identifier of the first object element, where the first objectelement is associated with a first object and the identifier is for thefirst object; processing, by the data processing unit, therepresentation of the second data to determine a temperature of thesecond object element, where the second object element is associatedwith the first object and the temperature is for the first object; andprocessing, by the data processing unit, the identifier and thetemperature to establish that the first object has the temperature.